Regions Hospital

Regions Hospital. It is a major teaching hospital and Level I trauma center located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Owned by the integrated healthcare system HealthPartners, the hospital provides a comprehensive range of services to the Twin Cities metropolitan area and serves as a critical regional resource for emergency and trauma care. Its history is deeply intertwined with the development of modern healthcare in Minnesota.

History

The institution traces its origins to 1872 with the founding of the Saint Paul Free Dispensary, which later evolved into the Saint Paul City and County Hospital. This public hospital served the community for decades, moving to its current location on Jackson Street in 1972. In 1993, the hospital's operations were transferred to the private, non-profit HealthPartners system and it was subsequently renamed. A significant milestone was achieved in 1994 when it was verified as a Level I trauma center by the American College of Surgeons, cementing its role as a leader in emergency medicine. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it underwent substantial expansions, including the addition of specialized facilities like the Heart Center and major renovations to its emergency department and critical care units.

Facilities and services

The main campus features a 454-bed facility housing the region's busiest adult emergency department and Burn center. It operates the only Level I trauma center serving eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, equipped with dedicated operating rooms and a rooftop helipad for air ambulance transport. Key clinical services include the nationally recognized Trauma program, a comprehensive Cancer care center affiliated with the HealthPartners Institute, and advanced cardiovascular and neurosurgery programs. The hospital also contains specialized units for behavioral health, rehabilitation, and a hyperbaric oxygen therapy program.

Affiliations and recognition

As a core facility of HealthPartners, the hospital is integrally linked to the system's clinics, insurance plans, and the HealthPartners Institute for medical research. It maintains a strong academic partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical School, serving as a primary teaching site for medical students, residency programs, and fellowships in specialties like emergency medicine and surgery. The hospital has received repeated recognition from national organizations; its trauma and burn programs are verified by the American College of Surgeons, and it has earned accolades for cardiac and stroke care from the American Heart Association. It is also a designated Stroke Center by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Patient care and community impact

Annually, the hospital treats over 60,000 patients in its emergency department and admits more than 25,000 individuals, providing critical care across a multi-state area. Its commitment to community health is demonstrated through numerous outreach initiatives, including violence prevention programs linked to its trauma services and partnerships with local organizations like the Saint Paul Police Department and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The hospital also operates specific clinics for underserved populations and participates in statewide public health efforts, emphasizing equitable access to high-quality care for all residents of the Twin Cities and beyond.

Research and education

Through the HealthPartners Institute, clinicians and scientists conduct significant research in areas such as traumatology, cardiology, health services research, and vaccine development. The hospital is an active site for clinical trials funded by agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its educational mission is central, training hundreds of physicians through accredited graduate medical education programs in collaboration with the University of Minnesota. It also provides extensive continuing education for nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals across the region, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and practice standards.