University Times

UPMC earns U.S. News honors

For the first time, a Pittsburgh-based health system has made the U.S. News and World Report's honor roll as one of the "best of the best" hospitals in the United States.

UPMC Health System ranked 12th out of 188 best hospitals, including having 12 specialty areas, out of a possible 16, ranked in the magazine's top 50.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the honor roll recognizes those institutions that perform at a very high level across many specialties.

"This ranking is one more confirmation of the high quality of care provided by the physicians and other health care professionals throughout UPMC Health System," said Jeffrey Romoff, president of UPMC Health System. "In recent years, the National Institutes of Health has consistently ranked UPMC among the top 12 research centers in the country, as measured by peer-reviewed funding for research. This ranking proves that our patient care is of equal excellence."

The health system's specialty areas ranked in the top 50 nationally were: 5th in ear, nose and throat; 10th in respiratory disorders; 11th in cancer; 11th in digestive tract, which includes gastrointestinal disorders; 11th in hormonal disorders, which include glandular problems such as diabetes; 11th in orthopaedics; 12th in psychiatry (Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic); 12th in rheumatology; 13th in geriatrics; 23rd in neurology and neurosurgery; 27th in cardiology and heart surgery, and 29th in gynecology (Magee-Womens Hospital).

The top three ranked hospitals were Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Mayo Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital.