Editor's Note: Navigating Houston's big medical buildings can be confusing. To help out, we offer a mini-guide to the major hospitals. First up: St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital

History: St. Luke’s Hospital opened its doors in 1954 and care has evolved over the years to 23 clinical services (including world-renown cardiovascular care, transplant services and cancer care) in more than 40 specialities. The hospital cares for more than 30,000 patients annually and patients come from Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East for treatment.

No. of beds: 864

Staff: Houston is fortunate to claim several pioneering doctors as its own. St. Luke’s most famous name is Dr. Denton A Cooley, who founded the Texas Heart Institute in 1962. Dr. John Goss is another well-respected name as the director of liver transplant programs at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Where to park: All of Houston's major hospitals have valet parking and St. Luke’s is no different. Valet is available at the Bates Entrance (off Fannin) and at the O’Quinn Medical Tower (off Fannin). There are also multiple parking garages, but the bridge from the garage to the hospital is on level two, so head there for the quickest route.

Where to eat: For a quick coffee pick-me-up, the Bates Street Bistro welcomes visitors fresh off the bridge from the parking garage. For full meals, head to the Bertner Avenue Café. There’s fast, fresh food to go, cafeteria style service and a grill station. It is a hospital, so the heart-healthy menu choices of the day are clearly marked and generously served.

Amenities: Whether patient or a visitor, there’s lots of hurry up and wait. Fortunately St. Luke’s offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hospital that worked well on my laptop and cell phone during a recent visit. The administration at St. Luke’s believes art is another way to encourage healing, so the hospital offers the Art Cart program, a mobile museum. The cart visits patients, allowing them to choose pieces they like for their rooms for the duration of their hospital stay.