UPMC Cancer Centers Makes US News & World Report List of Top Hospitals
National Recognition for Excellence of UPMC Clinical Programs
PITTSBURGH, July 7 – UPMC Cancer Centers has been ranked 12th in the nation for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's annual “America's Best Hospitals” survey. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is one of only 14 hospitals nationwide and the only hospital in Pennsylvania to earn “Honor Roll” status in U.S. News & World Report magazine's 2006 “America's Best Hospitals” survey. Overall, UPMC is ranked 14th in the nation, and is highly ranked in 13 of the 16 medical specialties categorized.
Out of 5,189 hospitals in the nation eligible, one quarter of 1 percent, or 14 hospitals, made the Honor Roll; and only 3 percent, or 176 hospitals, ranked in one or more of the 16 specialty areas. Hospitals earned Honor Roll status by listing at or near the top in at least six specialties - “a demonstration of broad expertise,” according to the magazine. This is the seventh time that UPMC has made the Honor Roll.
“UPMC's ranking in 'America's Best Hospitals' is evidence of the increasing nationwide recognition for the dedication, passion and never-ending commitment of some of the world's finest physicians, nurses, researchers and other health care professionals,” said Elizabeth Concordia, UPMC senior vice president, Academic and Community Hospitals, and president, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside.
In addition to the cancer ranking, UPMC ranks among the top hospitals in 13 of the 16 specialty categories. The specialty rankings for UPMC are: 4th in ear, nose and throat; 11th in pediatrics (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh); 12th in orthopaedics; 12th in psychiatry; 13th in gynecology (Magee-Womens Hospital); 13th in rheumatology; 13th in digestive disorders; 16th in kidney disease; 16th in respiratory disorders; 17th in endocrinology; 19th in neurology and neurosurgery; and 22nd in urology.
The 2006 America's Best Hospitals rankings will be published in the July 17 edition of U.S. News & World Report magazine, which hits newsstands on Monday, July 10. Rankings also appear on www.usnews.com.
The mission of America's Best Hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report, is to “identify centers that take on and excel at tough procedures and conditions. That is why most of the institutions ranked are referral centers, where the sickest patients are sent for advanced care. Such hospitals follow - and often pioneer - new treatment guidelines. They conduct bench-to-bedside research. And they exploit the latest advances in imaging, surgical devices and other technologies.”
In addition to UPMC, other hospitals earning one of 14 Honor Roll spots include such institutions as Johns Hopkins Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and Massachusetts General Hospital.
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