U.S. News Media Group ranks Texas Children's Hospital among top children's hospitals nationwide

HOUSTON - (June 18, 2009) - Texas Children's Hospital has been ranked as a leader in children's hospitals nationwide in U.S. News Media Group's 2009 edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals, and is one of only 10 hospitals to achieve Honor Roll status.


The comprehensive survey - the most extensive listing of its kind - ranks children's hospitals across 10 major subspecialties. Texas Children's was named as a best hospital in every subspecialty surveyed, and was ranked in the Top Ten in 9 out of 10 categories.


"We are thrilled to be recognized by U.S. News as one of the nation's best pediatric hospitals for the tenth year in a row," said Mark A. Wallace, President and CEO. "This is a well-deserved honor for our subspecialty programs and for the incredible work that's making our hospital an increasingly well respected leader in pediatric health care. It is also a tribute to all employees at Texas Children's, for driving us toward excellence every single day."

For the first time, U.S. News did not provide an overall ranking of pediatric hospitals, but did expand the list of subspecialty rankings initiated in 2008. The Honor Roll designation, new to the 2009 results, is reserved for those hospitals that ranked in all 10 subspecialties surveyed. Texas Children's Hospital was the only hospital in Houston to be included on the Honor Roll and one of only two in the Southwestern United States.


In earning its position on the Honor Roll, Texas Children's Hospital was ranked among America's Best in: Kidney Disorders (1); Respiratory Disorders (2); Heart and Heart Surgery (3); Cancer (4); Digestive Disorders (4); Neurology and Neurosurgery (5); Neonatal Care (7); Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders (9); Urology (9); and Orthopedics (14).


"This recognition by U.S. News World Report underscores the success of our collaborative programs," said Dr. William T. Butler, Interim President and CEO of Baylor College of Medicine. "The partnership between Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital advances the missions of patient care, education and research to provide the highest quality of care for children, train tomorrow's physicians and find new treatments for childhood diseases. My congratulations to everyone at Texas Children's."


The 2009 methodology weighed a three-part blend of reputation, outcome, and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing, and other factors. The hospitals were judged based on a combination of opinions from pediatric specialists about the hospitals they would recommend for the sickest children and data gathered in a 65-page survey of the hospitals themselves.


"While they might be a small percentage of all hospital patients, a large number of children every year need high-quality hospital care," said U.S. News Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. "The objective of the Best Children's Hospitals rankings is to help children with uniquely challenging medical needs, and for these special patients, it is essential they seek treatment at pediatric facilities with deep expertise. With this year's rankings, we're providing important information on the best of the best."

The 2009 edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals is available online at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals and will be featured in the August issue of US.News World Report, available on newsstands on July 21.

 

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.