Rochester Hospitals and Trauma Centers: Where to Get Immediate Help

Emergencies can hit when you least expect them. One moment, you’re driving along Lake Avenue or heading down I-490, and the next, you or someone you love is badly hurt. In those first moments after a crash or sudden injury, knowing where to go could save a life. For residents and visitors in Rochester, NY, understanding your emergency care options, from trauma centers to urgent care, helps you make quick, informed choices under pressure.

Rochester is home to one of the most comprehensive regional health systems in Upstate New York. Its network of hospitals, trauma teams, and specialized centers covers Monroe County and much of Western New York. Whether you're in the city or out toward the Finger Lakes, the right help isn’t far if you know where to look. 

What to Do in an Emergency

If someone is seriously injured or in a life-threatening situation, don’t wait. Call 911 immediately. Monroe County dispatchers are trained to assess emergency calls quickly and route medical help where it’s needed most. They’ll direct EMS to your location and ensure you're taken to the hospital that’s best equipped for your injuries.

Ambulance crews in the Rochester area don’t just go to the nearest hospital. They follow specific protocols to take patients to the right trauma center based on the severity and type of injury. In some cases, a helicopter like Mercy Flight Central or Lifenet may be called in if speed is critical, especially from rural zones or serious highway accidents.

Avoid transporting someone yourself if their condition seems severe. Head trauma, broken bones, chest pain, or heavy bleeding? Let trained paramedics handle it.

Understanding Trauma Center Levels

Not all hospitals offer the same level of trauma care. The American College of Surgeons ranks trauma centers into levels so emergency responders know which facility fits the patient’s needs.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Level I: Offers the most advanced trauma care available. Surgical teams, specialists, and research staff are on-site around the clock. Level I centers also train future trauma surgeons.
• Level II: Similar capabilities to Level I, including emergency surgery and intensive care. These centers handle major injuries but may refer extremely complex cases to Level I centers.
• Level III: Stabilizes patients and arranges transport to higher-level centers if needed. Often serve rural or suburban areas.

Understanding this system helps explain why you might be taken past a nearby hospital to reach one that can provide full trauma care.

Level I Trauma Centers in Rochester

UR Medicine Strong Memorial Hospital

Strong Memorial Hospital is the cornerstone of trauma care in Rochester. Located at 601 Elmwood Avenue, it's a designated Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center. That means it handles everything, from vehicle crashes to burns, falls, and life-threatening internal injuries.

What sets Strong apart:

• 24/7 surgical and trauma specialists
• Pediatric emergency care through Golisano Children’s Hospital
• Air ambulance access via Mercy Flight Central and Lifenet
• Advanced burn care through the Kessler Burn Center

Strong Memorial isn’t just a hospital, it’s a lifeline. It serves not only Rochester but much of Upstate New York as the go-to for complex trauma. An experienced Rochester personal injury attorney will be able to assist with medical bills or insurance issues if you’re treated at Strong Hospital.

Golisano Children’s Hospital (within URMC)

When children are injured, they need more than a standard ER. Golisano Children’s Hospital, located within the Strong campus, provides emergency and trauma services just for kids. From broken bones to serious accidents, their pediatric emergency team is trained to care for infants through teens.

Their NICU and pediatric surgical team work closely with Monroe County EMS, ensuring children get routed directly here in serious cases. Golisano is also a center for pediatric critical care, making it one of the safest places for child trauma in Western New York.

Level II Trauma Centers

Rochester General Hospital (Rochester Regional Health)

Serving northern Monroe County, Rochester General Hospital, located at 1425 Portland Avenue, is a Level II Adult Trauma Center. It's fully capable of handling:

• Severe crash injuries
• Cardiac emergencies
• Stroke intervention
• Emergency surgeries

Patients in areas like Irondequoit, East Rochester, and Brighton may be taken here if it’s the fastest route for lifesaving care. Rochester General also partners with surrounding county EMS systems to manage major incidents that don’t require a Level I designation.

Specialized Emergency and Urgent Care Facilities

Not every emergency is a trauma. Some require immediate care without the full trauma team response. That’s where Rochester’s specialized hospitals step in.

Unity Hospital (Rochester Regional Health)

Located at 1555 Long Pond Road in Greece, Unity Hospital runs a busy 24-hour emergency department. It’s known for its stroke and cardiac services, with rapid response teams for both. If a trauma case comes in, Unity coordinates quickly with Strong or Rochester General for transfer.

Quick facts:

• Advanced cardiac and stroke care
• Transfers serious trauma cases via EMS
• Serves Greece and surrounding communities

Highland Hospital (UR Medicine)

Highland sits at 1000 South Avenue, near the South Wedge. While not a trauma center, its emergency department provides:

• Orthopedic trauma care (fractures, dislocations)
• Geriatric-focused emergency services
• Seamless transfers to URMC for higher-level care

Highland is especially well-regarded for older adults facing falls or medical complications, thanks to its geriatric emergency protocols.

FF Thompson Hospital (UR Medicine, Canandaigua)

Just east of Rochester, in the Finger Lakes, FF Thompson Hospital supports both locals and tourists. It offers full emergency services and trauma stabilization. Located in Canandaigua, it transfers serious trauma cases to Strong or Rochester General when necessary.

Ideal for:

• Initial care in the Finger Lakes region
• Injuries from boating, hiking, or lake recreation
• Emergency stabilization and fast EMS routing

Burn, Cardiac, and Stroke Specialty Centers

Some emergencies require focused expertise. Rochester’s hospitals offer specialized centers that lead the region in lifesaving care.

• Kessler Burn Center (at Strong Memorial): The primary burn treatment facility for all of Upstate NY. Handles everything from house fires to chemical injuries.
• Stroke Centers: Both Strong and Rochester General are certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers, meaning they provide clot removal, neurosurgery, and rapid intervention.
• Heart and Vascular Care: Strong and Unity each have 24-hour catheterization labs for emergency heart attacks and vascular events.

These specialty units often work in tandem with trauma teams during complex emergencies.

Urgent Care Options for Non-Emergencies

If you’re dealing with a minor injury or illness, think sprains, infections, cuts, or flu symptoms, urgent care is usually the better choice over an ER.

Rochester offers several trusted networks:

• UR Medicine Urgent Care
• Rochester Regional Immediate Care
• WellNow Urgent Care

Many of these clinics offer:

• Walk-in appointments
• X-rays and lab services
• Online wait times
• Evening and weekend hours

Checking online first can help you avoid long waits and get care quickly for non-life-threatening issues.

How EMS Routes Patients

Monroe County EMS follows strict protocols based on injury type and severity, not patient preference. That’s why you might be taken to Strong, even if Rochester General is closer.

EMS makes fast decisions using:

• Trauma scoring systems
• On-scene vitals
• Proximity to the right facility (not just any facility)

Air transport also plays a critical role in the region. Mercy Flight Central and Lifenet helicopters are available for rural areas, multi-vehicle crashes, and time-sensitive medical events. This coordination ensures every patient reaches the best possible care as quickly as possible.

Tips for Quick Response in a Medical Emergency

There’s no way to prepare for everything. But a few smart steps can make a big difference during a crisis:

• Keep emergency contacts listed in your phone and wallet
• Include medical allergies and chronic conditions
• Know the address of your nearest hospital or trauma center
• Use 511NY or Google Maps for traffic conditions
• Never drive yourself if your condition is serious

When your adrenaline spikes, having this information on hand can help responders help you faster.

Community Health and Prevention Programs

Rochester’s hospitals also focus on prevention and education.

A few programs that stand out:

• URMC trauma prevention workshops for teens and young drivers
• Safe Kids Finger Lakes Coalition, teaching families how to reduce child injuries
• Rochester Regional Health’s CPR and first aid programs, open to community members

By attending one of these local events or workshops, you’re not just learning, you’re becoming part of a community that looks out for each other.

Know Where to Go Before You Need It

The trauma network across Rochester and Monroe County saves lives every day. It works because of coordination, training, and fast access to the right hospitals. You don’t want to be searching for answers after someone’s already been hurt. Take the time now to learn your nearest emergency facilities, especially if you live outside the city or have kids, elderly parents, or a chronic health condition.

Know where to go, and you’ll never lose time when seconds matter.