Now a renowned teaching hospital with a strong research focus, St. Paul's is recognized provincially, nationally and internationally for its work in the areas of heart disease, kidney disease, nutritional disorders, HIV/AIDS and the care of the disadvantaged. Looking to the future, the hospital is committed to strengthening the goals of the Sister of Providence to provide compassionate, effective care to those in need.

St. Paul's Hospital is recognized provincially, nationally and internationally for a number of specialty programs and services. Some are offered nowhere else in BC.

As a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of British Columbia, basic health research at St. Paul's has a cardiovascular, pulmonary & critical care focus — complementing a number of the priority clinical service areas. St. Paul's is designated the provincial Heart Centre, offering services ranging from prevention and rehabilitation to heart transplantation.

St. Paul's is also a leader in renal care services, managing a number of dialysis units (within the hospital and in six community clinics), an early intervention kidney clinic and providing kidney transplant surgery.