by Christine Sandor

Created on: September 16, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

www.nsmc.partners.org ) talks about each hospital and program in addition to other services such as surgery, psychiatry, the Vascular Center and other services available through the NSMC network. The list includes emergency services and comprehensive pediatric care.

Not that long ago it was known as Salem Hospital. It was connected to North Shore Children's Hospital and a few feet away from the Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital. Now the Salem, Massachusetts medical facility is an intricate web of hospitals, services, and affiliations and has become the largest provider of healthcare services on the North Shore.

North Shore Medical Center, as it is now known, became a member of Partners HealthCare and linked itself with Massachusetts General Hospital as well as other Partners members in a move that has allowed them to grow and expand healthcare programs for all. North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) includes three hospitals on the North Shore as well as two specialty health centers. NSMC Salem Hospital (Salem, Ma); NSMC Union Hospital (Lynn, Ma); and NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital (Salem, Ma.) are teamed with NSMC Women's Center and NSMC Heart Center as well as the North Shore Physician Group to provide advanced services in the North Shore area.

The web site for North Shore Medical Center (

While there are always issues with long waits at emergency rooms, NSMC does work hard to ensure that waits are not unreasonable that quality care still is a must. As a resident of Salem I have had the opportunity to experience many of the services provided and have been increasingly pleased with the competence of the staff, medical and non-medical. As an affiliate of Mass General Hospital, a family member was transferred quickly to Boston following a diagnosis that required services NSMC was not in a position to handle at that time. More recently I was amazed when I was in and out of the Children's emergency room with my daughter following a fall. The ER triaged her quickly, sent us directly to x-ray, and we were back in the ER, meeting with the physician in less than 20 minutes. A non-break was reported, and splint applied to a bad sprained ankle. When I commented on the speed of the visit, as my daughter hobbled out on crutches, the nurse laughed and said Ya, got us at a slow minute!

Perhaps we had indeed arrived at the right time, but the quality of service was quick and thorough. We did not feel either rushed or forgotten. This had been true for this writer days earlier when I followed doctor's orders to obtain a stress test. The test had been scheduled less than a week after my doctor ordered it, and while I arrived fully anticipating long delays, I was pleased that each of the step over the two days of procedures was conducted in a timely, professional as well as informative manner.

Perhaps the only draw back to the rapid growth this facility has seen is the limited parking. If a space is found, it is often on the other side of a parking lot. Some of those seeking medical services do not need the hike on top of any discomfort they may be experiencing. While one wonders why a parking garage has not been added to accommodate the growth of services, the hospital does offer free valet parking. It is a service that at least for now, can benefit patients who may not be up to the either the frustration of finding a parking space, or the walking.

Over all, North Shore Medical Center's availability of comprehensive services is a source of pride to the North Shore area.

Learn more about this author, Christine Sandor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.