Texas Medical Center
The Texas Medical Center (TMC) is the largest medical complex in the world, a staggering achievement in healthcare, research, and education that draws patients, researchers, and medical professionals from every corner of the globe. Spanning 1,345 acres — larger than the downtown areas of many American cities — the TMC houses over 60 institutions.
Among its member institutions are MD Anderson Cancer Center (consistently ranked the #1 cancer hospital in the US), Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Children's Hospital (the largest children's hospital in the US), Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Texas Health Science Center. Together, these institutions employ over 106,000 people and handle 10 million patient encounters annually.
The TMC is also a powerhouse of medical research, with annual research spending exceeding $3 billion. Breakthroughs developed here include the first successful human heart transplant in the US (performed by Dr. Denton Cooley in 1968), pioneering work in cancer immunotherapy, and advances in pediatric surgery.
The TMC Innovation Factory and TMC Venture Fund support healthcare startups, making the medical center not just a clinical giant but a hub of medical entrepreneurship.
Visitor Tips: The John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science is open to the public and offers fascinating exhibits. The TMC is navigable by the free TMC shuttle system. The area has numerous dining options and green spaces, including the adjacent Hermann Park.
