Medical Specialty Care in San Antonio

San Antonio's medical specialty care goes well beyond routine hospitals — home to Texas's only combined adult-and-pediatric Level I trauma center, the Department of Defense's only Level I trauma center and only verified burn center nationwide, and the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Texas.

Every item on this page clears one bar: not commonplace, not everywhere. These are real, named resources with their actual verified designation or certification — not a generic "has a hospital" or "has a gym" list. We left out anything we couldn't independently verify or that didn't clearly clear that bar, the same honesty rule used throughout this site — a shorter, accurate list beats a padded one.

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ACS Level I Trauma Center — Adult & Pediatric

University Hospital (University Health)

The only hospital in Texas with American College of Surgeons Level I verification for both adult and pediatric trauma, and the only pediatric Level I trauma center in South Texas. Re-verified by the ACS July 9, 2026 (valid through July 1, 2029), marking 40 years of ACS national recognition.

Source: University Health

ACS Level I Trauma Center

Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) / San Antonio Military Medical Center

The Department of Defense's only Level I trauma center nationwide, based at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. Most recently re-verified by the ACS Committee on Trauma.

Source: Army.mil

ABA-Verified Burn Center

USAISR Burn Center, Fort Sam Houston

The only U.S. Department of Defense burn center, verified by the American Burn Association with zero deficiencies (re-verified November 2022). Also holds ABA-verified burn fellowship training status, one of the first such accredited programs nationally.

Source: USAISR

NCI-Designated Cancer Center

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio

A National Cancer Institute designation held by roughly 70 institutions nationwide — the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Texas, running active clinical trials.

Source: National Cancer Institute

#1 U.S. Living-Donor Kidney Transplant Program (UNOS)

Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant

Ranked the nation's top program for living kidney donor transplants for 13 consecutive years per UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) data — also the largest Hispanic kidney transplant program in the country. Also offers liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplantation.

Source: KSAT