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Best Hospitals Near Raleigh
What are the best hospitals near Raleigh, NC? In case of an emergency, here are seven great hospitals near Raleigh.
Raleigh, the vibrant capital of North Carolina, has transformed from a quiet Southern city into one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. As part of the renowned Research Triangle, Raleigh offers an exceptional quality of life that seamlessly blends innovative technology industries, prestigious universities, and a thriving cultural scene.
The city's tree-lined streets, diverse neighborhoods, and four distinct seasons create an inviting atmosphere for families, young professionals, and retirees alike. Offering pros and cons to residents, there are plenty of jobs available, many things to do, and a thriving real estate market.
People love calling Raleigh home, and it is easy to see why. With a population of over 467,665, Raleigh and the surrounding area keep growing as more companies move to the Research Triangle and more neighborhoods are built.
Home to some of the top universities in the country, Raleigh is located near highly-rated health facilities and hospitals, making it easy for residents to find quality care. These prestigious medical institutions offer cutting-edge treatments, specialized care, and award-winning patient outcomes.
Whether you are a retiree or moving as a family, living in an area close to a good hospital means that you will be taken care of quickly in an emergency. With that said, here are ten of the best hospitals near Raleigh, known for their amazing doctors and medical advancements.
Check out these top-rated hospitals near Raleigh
1. Duke University Hospital
Address: 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710
Phone Number: (919) 684-8111
Duke University Hospital stands as one of the nation's premier academic medical centers, consistently ranking among the top hospitals in the United States. Recognized as the #1 Best Hospital in North Carolina and the #1 Best Hospital in the Raleigh-Durham Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report for 2024-2025, Duke University Hospital represents the pinnacle of medical excellence in the region.
This teaching hospital, founded in 1930 as part of Duke University, is a 1,062-bed facility nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties and 9 children's specialties. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University Hospital is open 24 hours and is affiliated with Duke University School of Medicine.
Duke's reputation for excellence spans virtually every medical specialty, with particular strength in complex and rare conditions. The hospital serves as a major referral center for patients throughout the Southeast and beyond, offering treatments and procedures unavailable at most institutions.
Offering general medical and surgical care, this hospital offers comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including an emergency and trauma center, 51 operating rooms, an endosurgery center, an ambulatory surgery center, and an extensive interventional radiology center.
For patients seeking specialized care, Duke offers comprehensive services in oncology, neurology, cardiology, transplant services, and orthopedics. The institution's research programs mean patients often have access to clinical trials and innovative treatments not yet widely available.
Duke University Hospital is not only recognized for its nursing excellence but also as a leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality. Many retirees moving to the area love having this top-rated hospital close to home.
2. UNC REX Hospital
Address: 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone Number: (919) 784-3100
UNC Rex Hospital has served the Raleigh community for over 125 years and has evolved into one of North Carolina's most respected healthcare institutions. Rated as the No. 4 hospital in the state and No. 3 in the Triangle region by U.S. News & World Report, Rex has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence.
UNC REX Hospital is Raleigh's oldest hospital. It is high-performing in one adult specialty and in 21 procedures and conditions. It has been serving Raleigh and the surrounding neighborhoods since its founding in 1894.
UNC Rex Hospital's cardiovascular program is nationally recognized, having been named to Fortune and IBM Watson Health's list of the nation's top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals for four consecutive years. This distinction places Rex among the elite institutions for heart care in the United States.
The hospital has received the Leapfrog Top Hospital Award for Quality & Safety and maintains a five-star rating for quality of care from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), placing it in the top nine percent of hospitals nationwide.
This Raleigh hospital is home to more than 6,400 staff members and is considered one of the largest employers in Wake County. Its medical staff includes more than 1,100 physicians and 1,700 nurses.
3. WakeMed Cary Campus Hospital
Address: 1900 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27518
Phone Number: (919) 350-8000
WakeMed Cary Hospital serves the rapidly growing Cary community with comprehensive medical services and award-winning care. As part of the WakeMed Health & Hospitals system, Cary Hospital benefits from the resources of a major healthcare network while maintaining a community hospital atmosphere.
Located in the Raleigh suburb of Cary, WakeMed Cary Hospital is home to a Level III Trauma Center. This full-service hospital is open 24 hours a day and is best known for its advanced medical care and innovative technology.
WakeMed Cary Hospital is one of just 381 U.S. hospitals to receive five stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2024, placing it among the nation's highest-performing hospitals for quality care.
Offering high-quality services, education, medical technologies, and compassionate care, WakeMed Cary Hospital is home to over 1,300 employees, over 900 physicians and advanced practice providers, and over 600 volunteers.
Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and as the continuous winner of awards for premier service and compassionate care, it is no surprise that WakeMed Cary Hospital is one of the best hospitals near Raleigh.
As a full-service hospital, WakeMed Cary provides a 24-hour emergency department, an intensive care unit, imaging services, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient specialty rehabilitation services, an outpatient lab, a sleep center, a women's pavilion and birthplace, and a mother's milk bank.
4. WakeMed Raleigh Campus Hospital
Address: 3000 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone Number: (919) 350-8000
WakeMed Raleigh Campus is the flagship facility of the WakeMed Health & Hospitals system and serves as one of the region's most comprehensive medical centers. With over 50 years of innovation in healthcare delivery, WakeMed Raleigh Campus offers advanced care across virtually every specialty.
WakeMed Raleigh Campus features one of only six Level 1 Trauma programs statewide, verified by the American College of Surgeons, making it a critical resource for the most severe traumatic injuries. This designation ensures the highest level of trauma care is available 24/7.
The WakeMed Hospital system is a large off-campus teaching site for the UNC School of Medicine, one of the best colleges in the Triangle. This affiliation has been in place for over 40 years. Many UNC students spend their residency here and become physicians at one of the Triangle's WakeMed Hospitals.
As a non-profit hospital with over 8,000 employees, this flagship healthcare facility is a leading provider of advanced healthcare services. Best known for using the latest technology and providing one-of-a-kind services, the WakeMed Raleigh campus provides the very best attentive care to patients.
Offering advanced pathology laboratories, imaging technology, and surgical technology, the Raleigh campus is nationally ranked in one adult specialty and is high-performing in seven procedures and conditions.
As a teaching hospital, WakeMed Raleigh Hospital offers services such as Brain and Spine, Children's Hospital, Children's ER, Critical Care, Comprehensive Heart Center, Nutrition and Diabetes, Medical Simulation Center, Neonatal Intensive Care, Advanced Pregnancy and Childbirth Services, Chest Pain Center, Surgical Services, Trauma Center, Stroke Center, and Rehabilitation.
5. WakeMed Raleigh North Hospital
Address: 10000 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27614
Phone Number: (919) 350-8000
WakeMed North Hospital represents the newest addition to the WakeMed system and embodies a commitment to both medical excellence and environmental sustainability. This modern facility serves the northern communities of Wake County with comprehensive services and state-of-the-art technology.
Found in North Wake County near Rolesville, WakeMed North features a Level I Trauma Center and brings advanced medical care and technology to one of the best places to live in North Carolina.
The Emergency Department at WakeMed Raleigh North is open 24/7 and is known to provide full-service emergency care to patients. This 77-bed hospital is very high-end, with bigger rooms, and tends to be less crowded than its other campuses.
WakeMed North Hospital has received the prestigious level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Healthcare Gold and was the first hospital in North Carolina to achieve LEED Healthcare Gold. This certification recognizes the hospital's environmentally responsible design and operation, creating a healthier environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
WakeMed Raleigh North provides a wide range of medical services but specializes in 24/7 Emergency Services, Imaging Services, Pharmacy, Outpatient Lab, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Medical Day Treatment, and Surgical Services.
6. UNC Medical Center
Address: 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone Number: (984) 974-1000
UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill stands as one of the nation's leading academic medical centers and the flagship hospital of UNC Health. As a major teaching hospital affiliated with the UNC School of Medicine, it serves as a regional and national referral center for complex medical cases.
First established in 1952 under the name N.C. Memorial Hospital, this medical center, which partners with the UNC School of Medicine, also comprises the N.C. Children's Hospital, N.C. Neurosciences Hospital, and the N.C. Women's Hospital.
UNC Hospitals has been recognized as one of the World's Best Specialized Hospitals 2025 by Newsweek, specifically recognized in Cardiology, Oncology, Endocrinology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. This global recognition underscores the hospital's world-class capabilities across multiple specialties.
The hospital's comprehensive nature makes it an ideal destination for patients with complex, multi-system conditions requiring coordinated care from multiple specialists. As an academic medical center, UNC Medical Center provides access to cutting-edge research, clinical trials, and innovative treatments.
The high-performing procedures and conditions related to cancer at UNC Medical Center are Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, Colon Cancer Surgery, Lung Cancer Surgery, Ovarian Cancer Surgery, Prostate Cancer Surgery, and Uterine Cancer Surgery.
If you are moving to Chapel Hill, you will have easy access to this top-rated hospital.
7. Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center
Address: 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710
Phone Number: (919) 668-4000
Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center provides comprehensive pediatric care ranging from routine checkups to highly specialized treatments for the most complex childhood conditions. As one of the nation's leading children's hospitals, Duke Children's offers family-centered care in an environment designed specifically for young patients.
Duke Children's Hospital delivers the full spectrum of pediatric services under one roof, from primary care and urgent care to intensive care and complex surgical procedures. The hospital's pediatric specialists are leaders in their fields, offering expertise in conditions that require highly specialized knowledge.
The hospital features dedicated pediatric emergency services, ensuring children receive age-appropriate emergency care from professionals trained specifically in pediatric medicine. This specialization is crucial, as children's medical needs differ significantly from adults.
For families managing chronic conditions or rare diseases, Duke Children's provides multidisciplinary care teams that coordinate treatment across specialties. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive care management and better outcomes for children with complex medical needs.
Duke Children's also offers access to cutting-edge research and clinical trials, giving families options for innovative treatments not widely available elsewhere. The hospital's connection to Duke University's research programs means pediatric patients benefit from the latest advances in medical science.
Learn more about life in Durham in this article.
Methodology
We used data and information from local hospitals in the Triangle area and from U.S. News and World Report and the Raleigh News and Observer to determine the best hospitals near Raleigh, NC.
FAQs
What is the number one hospital in North Carolina?
The number one best hospital in North Carolina is Duke University Hospital, since it is nationally ranked in 11 specialties and 9 children's specialties.
Which hospital is better, Duke or UNC?
While Duke University Hospital and both UNC system hospitals are nationally ranked, Duke University Hospital is the only one in North Carolina that is globally ranked.
How does Duke Hospital rank nationally?
Duke University Hospital is the number one hospital in North Carolina and the 16th top medical center in the country for its outstanding care and groundbreaking research.
Best Hospitals Near Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
The Raleigh area's exceptional hospital network ensures residents have access to world-class healthcare close to home.
From routine care to the most specialized treatments, these seven institutions provide comprehensive services backed by national recognition and outstanding patient outcomes.
It is always a good idea to know where the closest hospital is when buying a home and to be aware of your options if you or a loved one needs medical attention.
Raleigh is the perfect place to live for its accessibility to great hospitals alone. If you are ready to find your dream home in Raleigh, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. No matter your budget, we are here to help.
