Since 1811, Massachusetts General Hospital has been committed to delivering standard-setting medical care. Throughout the decades, the hospital has had a consistent commitment to advancing that care through pioneering research and educating future health care professionals. The third oldest general hospital in the United States and the oldest and largest hospital in New England, Mass General continues its tradition of excellence today. On July 17, 2012, Mass General was named America&＃039;s best hospital by U. S. News & World Report based on our quality of care, patient safety and reputation in 16 different specialties. In 2008, Mass General was redesignated a Magnet hospital, the highest honor for nursing excellence awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. World-Class Patient Care Our 907-bed medical center, located in the heart of Boston, offers sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic care in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery. We offer high-quality care and services in four health centers in the Boston area. The hospital also holds concurrent Level 1 verification for adult and pediatric trauma and burn care. Our five multidisciplinary care centers – known worldwide for innovations in cancer, digestive disorders, heart disease, transplantation and vascular medicine – unite specialists across the hospital to offer patients comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical care. In addition, through MassGeneral Hospital for Children, we provide a full range of pediatric health care services, from primary care to cutting-edge treatments of complex and rare disorders. A Research Powerhouse Mass General has long been a leader in successfully bridging innovative science with state-of-the-art clinical medicine. With an annual research budget of nearly $764 million, Mass General conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the United States - a program that spans more than 20 clinical departments and centers across the hospital. This funding drives discoveries and breakthroughs in basic and clinical research, which translate into new and better treatments that transform medical practice and patient care. Learn more about Mass General research. An Emphasis on Teaching Mass General is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, where nearly all of our staff physicians serve on the faculty. Since the hospital’s founding, Mass General has been committed to training and mentoring the next generation of international leaders in science and medicine, providing a wealth of opportunities for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, physical, occupational and speech and language therapists and other health professionals. These talented men and women, in turn, lend fresh and innovative perspective on how to treat and care for patients. See medical residency and fellowship opportunities at Mass General. Setting the Bar for Quality & Safety Safety, effectiveness, patient centeredness, timeliness, efficiency and equity – these six tenets established by the Institute of Medicine are the foundation of our approach to quality and safety. We measure our performance, set high goals and track our progress toward those goals. We compare ourselves against local and national benchmarks in key quality and safety areas to ensure we deliver the highest quality and safest care possible. Learn more about our quality and patient-safety programs. Reaching Out to the Community Our work has always been guided by the needs of patients and their families. Mass General partners with communities to build, improve and sustain health care delivery and increase the health and well-being of those who live and work and these communities. Read about how Mass General is making a difference locally and globally. At our main campus and four health centers in Charlestown, Chelsea, Revere and the North End, Mass General annually: Admits 47, 000 inpatients Handles nearly 1.4 million outpatient visits Records 88, 000 emergency room visits Performs 38, 000 operations Delivers 3, 600 babies Mass General is a founding member of Partners HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery system that includes the two founding academic medical centers, community hospitals, primary care and specialty physicians, specialty facilities, community health centers and other health-related entities. Our Mission Guided by the needs of our patients and their families, we aim to deliver the very best health care in a safe, compassionate environment; to advance that care through innovative research and education; and to improve the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve.