VUMC again ranked among best hospitals by ‘U.S. News’
Vanderbilt University Medical Center once again placed high in the coveted annual ranking of best hospitals by U.S. News and World Report.
The Medical Center made the list of Top 50 in nine of the 12 major specialties ranked by the magazine, and was the only Tennessee hospital included.
“Recognition in the rankings represents the hard work, dedication and commitment by everyone at the Medical Center, and we’re honored to be included,” said Harry R. Jacobson, M.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs. “We are very proud of the efforts of our clinicians and staff here at the Medical Center for receiving this well-deserved recognition.
“But this is just one benchmark of the patient care and education we provide and the quality research we perform. The highest compliments come from our patients and our colleagues who value our services.”
This year, the Medical Center was not listed among the U.S. News “Honor Roll” of best hospitals, after spending the past two years on the list.
For 2004, the magazine ranked only 14 hospitals on the “Honor Roll.” The University of Pittsburgh Hospital and the University of Chicago hospital were the other two hospitals that also did not appear on the list this year.
Vanderbilt’s programs in the kidney disease category ranked eighth — the highest ranking any VUMC program has received since U.S. News began its rankings in 1997.
“We are pleased and gratified by this marker of national recognition of the renal program at Vanderbilt. It is indicative of the high quality of our faculty and staff who are involved in all aspects of the care of patients with kidney disease,” said Raymond Harris, M.D., director of the division of Nephrology. Harris is the Ann and Roscoe R. Robinson Professor of Nephrology.
Other rankings include:
• Ear, nose and throat, 15
• Respiratory disorders, 15
• Cancer, 18
• Hormonal disorders, 19
• Urology, 21
• Orthopaedics, 24
• Gynecology, 36
• Neurology and Neurosurgery, 38
Respiratory disorders saw a significant jump in the rankings, eight steps up from 23 last year.
"The division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care has been consistently growing in size and stature for the past 20 years. I think people around the country and the world are now beginning to notice," said Gordon R. Bernard, M.D., director of the division.
Neurology and Neurosurgery returned to the rankings after not being listed in 2003.
The issue containing the rankings is dated July 12, and appeared on newsstands July 5.
Several factors are used in determining the rankings, including reputation among board-certified physicians, mortality statistics, nursing care, medical technology, palliative care and discharge planning.
In ophthalmology, pediatrics, psychiatry, rehabilitation and rheumatology, hospitals were ranked only by their reputation among board-certified specialists.