Moving to a different city requires careful consideration-especially when it comes to finding quality healthcare services. You may have a trusted doctor you visit for regular health check-ups and might be on a first-name basis with your local dentist. Now you're faced not only with the hassle of unpacking but of locating healthcare services for you and your family.

Rest assured, the DFW Metroplex, known for its restaurants and shopping, is also home to quality hospitals specializing in everything from children's health to cancer treatment to prenatal care to intensive care. And what's especially handy is their accessibility. You don't have to live in the city of Dallas or Fort Worth to find quality treatment. You may head for the suburbs where you will find easy access to hospitals and healthcare providers.

The benefits of moving to a big city means there's a large population that needs to be served-making it an attractive location for the healthcare industry and encouraging the industry to attract the best and brightest in the medical profession.

Education
UT Southwestern Medical Center is among the top academic medical centers in the world. It includes three degree-granting institutions, including the UT Southwestern Medical School, UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and UT Southwestern Allied Health Sciences School. Admission standards are high, the faculty is among the best-including four active Nobel laureates, and it leads the way in research.

The UNT Health Science Center has three divisions: the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (only 1 of 19 in the nation), the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Public Health. The UNT Health Science Center has received recognition for being named one of the top medical schools by U.S. News & World Reports.

Community
Community outreach by hospitals is important not only for the dissemination of information to the community but to encourage preventative care and early detection of health problems.

The Methodist Health System takes good steps toward this goal featuring Mobile Mammography, a Prostate Cancer Screening and Awareness Program for minority men and a cancer support group for Spanish-speaking individuals.

Statistics at a Glance
While it might be difficult to leave your current city, you will find the ratio of healthcare professionals to patients in the DFW area is on par with any large Metroplex. The table below shows counties for Dallas and Fort Worth and the number or physicians and nurses as compared to population.

Based on reports from the Texas Department of State Health Services, there are 34 acute care hospitals in Dallas County and 23 in Tarrant County. Let's take a look at highlights from the Dallas/Fort Worth area's hospitals. Remember, this is just a sampling of what the area has to offer. Consult the hospitals' Web sites for more information.

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