Health systems across the country are breaking new ground, launching technologies and programs that represent first-of-their-kind milestones in healthcare.
Emory goes all in on Apple
Emory Hillandale Hospital, part of Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare, has become the first hospital in the U.S. to be fully powered by Apple products.
The milestone follows Emory’s 2024 move to become the first health system to make Epic’s electronic health record available through the Mac App Store. To support this shift, Emory equipped clinicians across its network with MacBook Air laptops, iPhones and iPads. The transition is expected to save the health system about $300 per device annually in software licensing and support costs compared to traditional PCs.
Ascension and astronaut care
In October 2024, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, part of St. Louis-based Ascension, made history as the first civilian hospital to deliver medical care to astronauts returning from space.
The hospital treated crew members from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission, marking a new chapter in healthcare support for space exploration.
Sanford Health and organ donor registration
Sanford Health, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., is among the first health systems to introduce an organ donor registration feature within its MyChart patient portal.
Developed in collaboration with Epic and Donate Life America, the integration allows users to sign up for the National Donate Life Registry directly through MyChart. Patients can opt in to donate organs, eyes or tissue for transplant, research or education.
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