The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has again been named one of U.S. News and World Report’s best children’s hospitals, and two specialties within the hospital are recognized for their excellence.

Neonatology was ranked No. 14 and neurology and neurosurgery at Vanderbilt was ranked No. 20 in the nation. This is the first time the magazine has ranked pediatric specialties separately. Children’s Hospital held steady from last year ranking at No. 23 among the magazine’s Best Hospitals rankings.

“Our ranking reflects what we already know at the children’s hospital: All our staff including physicians, nurses, environmental services, medical receptionists, respiratory therapists and others are doing great work and it is being recognized at a national level,” said Kevin B. Churchwell, M.D., chief executive officer and executive director. “It is an honor to work alongside them every day.”

In a further extension of the U.S. News 2007 pediatric rankings, which listed the top 30 pediatric hospitals, the 2008 “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” rankings now include the 30 top-ranked hospitals in cancer, digestive disorders, heart and heart surgery, neonatal care, neurology and neurosurgery, respiratory disorders and general pediatrics.

The specialty rankings methodology was based on reputation, outcome and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing and other factors. In overall rankings, Children’s Hospital received high marks for its use of advanced technologies.
 
“It is indeed an honor to again be ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the country. This is a testimony to the faculty and staff who have dedicated their lives to the outstanding care of children,” said John W. Brock III, M.D., the hospital’s surgeon-in-chief, and director of the Division of Pediatric Urology at Children’s Hospital. “In this ever-changing health care environment, it remains important for us to stay intensively focused on this mission.
 
“An honor such as this simply helps validate the fact that we are, in a small way, achieving our goals. I am proud to be an associate of the many men and women who make this such a special environment to care for children.”

Hospitals eligible to complete the survey were primarily drawn from members of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) in either of two categories - a freestanding children’s hospital or a children’s “hospital within a hospital.” Of the 143 children’s hospitals invited to participate in the survey, 113 responded.

U.S. News is a weekly newsmagazine devoted to reporting and analyzing national and international affairs, politics, business, health, science, technology and social trends.

Contact: Carole Bartoo (615)322-4747
               carole.bartoo@vanderbilt.edu