Health systems across the United States are achieving major firsts in innovation, transforming how care is delivered, how technology is integrated, and how patients interact with providers.
From space medicine to Apple-powered hospitals, here are three recent milestones redefining the boundaries of modern healthcare.
Emory Hillandale: The First Apple-Powered Hospital in the U.S.
In a national first, Emory Hillandale Hospital, part of Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare, has become the first hospital in the U.S. to operate entirely on Apple devices.
The hospital has outfitted its clinicians with MacBook Airs, iPhones, and iPads, replacing all traditional PCs. This shift follows Emory’s 2024 milestone as the first health system to offer Epic’s electronic health record (EHR) through the Mac App Store.
Hospital officials say the move is expected to save about $300 per device per year in software licensing and support costs. Beyond financial efficiency, Emory cited workflow reliability, ease of use, and unified device management as key benefits.
“It’s a bold leap — but one that fits how we see the future of care,” said an Emory representative.
Ascension Sacred Heart: First Civilian Hospital to Treat Astronauts
In October 2024, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola made history by becoming the first civilian hospital to provide care to astronauts returning from space.
The hospital, which is part of St. Louis-based Ascension, coordinated with NASA to treat crew members from the SpaceX Crew-8 mission. The effort marks a new era in the intersection of space travel and civilian healthcare readiness.
“We’re entering a time when health systems must prepare for care needs beyond Earth’s surface,” said one clinical leader.
The case sets precedent for how public–private partnerships can evolve to meet unique healthcare demands stemming from aerospace advancements.
Sanford Health: Organ Donation via Patient Portal
Sanford Health, headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is among the first health systems to offer organ donor registration through Epic’s MyChart portal.
The feature, built in partnership with Donate Life America, allows patients to sign up for the National Donate Life Registry directly from their smartphone or desktop.
Patients can choose to donate organs, eyes, or tissue for transplant, research, or education — without visiting the DMV or signing a paper form.
“This changes the conversation. It makes opting in seamless, and puts the power in the hands of patients,” said a MyChart engineer who worked on the pilot.
Healthcare leaders expect the integration to drive significant growth in donor registrations nationwide, especially among younger digital-first users.
Why These Innovations Matter
Although these initiatives are taking place in different regions, each represents a larger shift toward modernization in the American health system:
- Technology-first care that reflects real-world device usage
- Preparedness for evolving treatment contexts, such as space medicine
- Empowered patient engagement through digital platforms
For local hospitals and providers — including those in Clayton County and metro Georgia — the success of these early adopters offers a roadmap for implementing similar programs.
Looking Ahead: What Local Systems Can Learn
Hospitals in Georgia and across the Southeast are facing growing pressure to adopt new tech, reduce operational costs, and improve patient-facing services. Initiatives like Emory’s Apple rollout and Sanford’s donor registration tool may soon become standard expectations, not exceptions.
As patient expectations shift and reimbursement models reward tech integration, health systems may need to:
- Expand BYOD (bring your own device) capabilities
- Partner with vendors offering consumer-friendly portals
- Develop staff training aligned with digital platforms
- Build emergency readiness for non-traditional care scenarios
