Advocate Health to launch largest US hospital drone network

Advocate Health, a nonprofit, integrated health system in the US plans to launch what it describes as the nation’s largest hospital-based drone delivery network, aimed at improving the transport of medicines, lab samples and medical supplies across its system.

The health system is partnering with Zipline to support the initiative, which will enable direct delivery of prescriptions and medical supplies to patients’ homes. The network will also be used to move laboratory specimens between hospitals and labs, with the goal of speeding up testing and improving overall efficiency in care delivery.

The first phase of the rollout is expected to begin in 2027 in the Charlotte market. Advocate Health also plans to expand the drone delivery network to other regions, including Chicago and Milwaukee, with further extension into rural areas in Georgia as part of its broader deployment strategy.

At full scale, the network is expected to handle more than 100,000 deliveries annually. The initiative reflects Advocate Health’s focus on using drone technology to enhance access to care, streamline logistics, and improve the speed and reliability of medical deliveries across its network.