Anchorage is a primary medical treatment center for the state of Alaska and is home to the two largest hospitals in the state, Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital. The new $157 million 100-bed hospital on Elmendorf Air Force Base opened in 2001. The new Elmendorf Hospital replaces the existing 50-bed hospital, which suffered structural damage during the 1964 earthquake, and serves the state's military population.
Providence Alaska Medical Center, with 341 beds and more than 600 staff physicians, is the main medical referral center in the state, offering such specialized treatment as open heart surgery and neonatal care. In 2001, the hospital added a new state-of-the-art emergency department as part of a 100,000 square foot expansion. Alaska Regional Hospital provides neurosurgery and spinal and orthopedic surgery; a maternity center, critical care units, and emergency services, including an air ambulance, are maintained. A $7 million renovation at Alaska Regional Hospital included a new trauma and open-heart surgery room. Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center offers three family practice clinics featuring medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and mental health services. The North Star Behavioral Health System provides mental health and substance abuse treatment programs through several facilities.