The healthcare sector has been a focal point for investors in 2024, offering a compelling blend of innovation-driven expansion and reliable dividend income. In the past year, top-performing healthcare stocks in the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) have delivered impressive returns, with DaVita Inc. (DVA) leading the pack with a 106% gain, followed closely by Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) at 88% and Universal Health Services (UHS) at 87%. Recent sector developments have caught major investment firms’ attention, with Bernstein initiating coverage of several key players. The firm assigned “outperform” ratings to…