Houston Hospital to Fly Drones for Medical Deliveries in 2026

Memorial Hermann Partners with Zipline to Revolutionize Patient Care

In a groundbreaking move, Memorial Hermann Health System has reportedly announced plans to launch a drone delivery service for specialty prescriptions and medical supplies starting in 2026. The Houston-based hospital system will be the first in the city to partner with Zipline, a San Francisco tech company that has already completed over 1 million drone deliveries worldwide.

Alec King, executive vice president and CFO for Memorial Hermann, states, “As a system, we are continuously seeking ways to improve the patient experience and bring greater health and value to the communities we serve. Zipline provides an innovative solution to helping our patients access the medications they need, quickly and conveniently, at no added cost to them.”

Drones Promise Faster, Greener Deliveries

Zipline’s drones, called Zips, are designed to navigate through any weather conditions and complete deliveries seven times faster than traditional car-based methods. The company claims that their drones can drop off packages at a rate of about 1609 meters per minute (1 mile per minute), significantly reducing wait times for patients.

Moreover, the Zips operate with zero emissions, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional delivery vehicles. This aligns with the growing trend of businesses adopting greener practices to combat climate change.

Enhancing Patient Care and Logistics

The drone delivery service will be used to transport items directly to patients or to move supplies and samples between Memorial Hermann’s various locations. This streamlined approach to healthcare logistics is expected to improve the overall patient experience by providing faster, more convenient access to necessary medications and supplies.

Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, co-founder and CEO of Zipline, emphasizes the impact of improved healthcare logistics: “Completing more than one million commercial deliveries has shown us that when you improve health care logistics, you improve every level of the patient experience. It means people get better, faster, more convenient care, even from the comfort of their own home.”

The Future of Healthcare Delivery

As Memorial Hermann takes the lead in bringing drone delivery services to Houston’s healthcare industry, other providers are likely to follow suit. Cliffton believes that innovators like Memorial Hermann are paving the way for better care in the United States and that the adoption of such technologies will happen much faster than anticipated.

The introduction of drone deliveries in healthcare marks a significant step towards a future where patients can receive essential medications and supplies more efficiently, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and enhanced patient satisfaction.