Partners HealthCare System (PHS) is an integrated health system founded in 1994 by Brigham & Women's Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the two oldest Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals. MGH and BWH are consistently ranked among the nation's top hospitals. In addition to its two academic medical centers, the Partners system also includes community and specialty hospitals, community health centers, a physician network, home health and long-term care services, and other health-related entities. Partners is one of the leading biomedical research organizations in the United States, and a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Partners is a non-profit organization.

Founded in 1811, MGH is the third oldest general hospital in the U.S. and the oldest and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The 900-bed medical center offers sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic care in virtually every specialty and subspecialty of medicine. MGH conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the country, with an annual research budget of approximately $500 million.

BWH, which was formed in 1980 with the merger of three of Boston's oldest Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals, has a rich tradition dating back to 1832. This 747-bed hospital is the region's preeminent hospital for women's health services, the largest birthing center in New England, a national center of excellence in transplantation, and a renowned center for clinical, translational, and population-based research studies.