100 great hospitals in America | 2025

Becker’s is thrilled to release its “Great hospitals in America” list for 2025. 

These hospitals stand out for their exceptional clinical performance, unwavering focus on patient safety, and dedication to innovation, research and education. Their commitment to delivering outstanding patient experiences has earned them national recognition.

Respected rankings and awards organizations like U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, CMS and The Leapfrog Group have honored these institutions for their excellence across a wide range of specialties.

Note: This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of included hospitals, health systems or associated healthcare providers. Becker’s accepted nominations and completed editorial research to compile this list. Organizations cannot pay for inclusion on this list. Hospitals are presented in alphabetical order. We extend a special thank you to Rhoda Weiss for her contributions to this list. 

Contact Anna Falvey at afalvey@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments.


AdventHealth Orlando (Fla.). As the Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth system’s 1,400-bed flagship hospital, AdventHealth Orlando is one of the most comprehensive single-site healthcare campuses, delivering complex care across multiple specialties. U.S. News & World Report named it among the top 20 hospitals in the nation, No. 1 in Florida and No. 1 in Orlando for 15 consecutive years. It also earned a spot among Healthgrade’s top 1% of hospitals nationally for clinical outcomes. In cardiac care, it is Orange County’s designated comprehensive resuscitation center, offering extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in partnership with the county’s emergency medical services. This capability has been shown to improve survival and neurological outcomes, and is supported by one of the nation’s largest extracorporeal membrane oxygenation programs. In July 2025, as Central Florida’s only solid organ transplant program, transplant teams performed 12 transplants across 11 patients in 72 hours, including combined heart–liver transplant, pediatric heart and liver transplants, and a living donor kidney transplant using advanced organ perfusion technology. In neurosciences, the hospital was first in the U.S. to complete 50 cases using the Vivistim Stroke Rehabilitation System, an FDA-approved therapy pairing implanted vagus nerve stimulation with intensive rehabilitation to help stroke survivors regain arm and hand function when recovery has plateaued. AdventHealth Orlando, a regional leader in women’s health, delivers over 17,400 babies annually and supports high-risk pregnancies through an integrated network of labor and delivery units and NICU services. Its fourth trimester program provides extended postpartum support for Black mothers to address maternal health disparities and reduce preventable complications after delivery.

Advocate Christ Medical Center (Oak Lawn, Ill.). Advocate Christ Medical Center is an 802-bed academic medical center recognized as one of the busiest level 1 trauma centers in the state, delivering advanced, lifesaving care to some of the region’s most complex patients. The hospital offers leading-edge heart transplants, ventricular assist devices, vascular surgery and advanced heart failure care, including the nation’s first DNV-certified ventricular assist device program. Advocate Christ is also a comprehensive stroke center, providing highly specialized neurologic, neuro-interventional and spine care supported by nationally recognized intensive care services. In women’s and children’s health, the medical center operates the No. 1 delivery program in Chicago’s south suburbs, supported by a level 3 NICU and Advocate Children’s Hospital. Its comprehensive cancer program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Beyond clinical care, Advocate Christ demonstrates deep community commitment through initiatives such as the “Food Farmacy” program, trauma recovery services and innovative education partnerships like “Live…from the Heart.” In the 2025–26U.S. News & World Report rankings, Advocate Christ was nationally ranked in six adult specialties, regionally ranked among the top five hospitals in Illinois and Chicago, and recognized for high performance in four specialties and 18 procedures and conditions.

Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Minneapolis). Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital is a 686-bed hospital and the largest private hospital in the Twin Cities, serving more than 200,000 patients annually from across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. The hospital provides comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and emergency care, and is home to nationally recognized programs like the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Minneapolis Heart Institute, Cancer Institute, Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute, Orthopedics, and The Mother Baby Center in partnership with Minneapolis-based Children’s Minnesota. Abbott Northwestern is widely recognized for clinical excellence and complex subspecialty care, particularly in cardiovascular medicine, rehabilitation and neuroscience. In 2025, the hospital became the first in the Twin Cities to offer incision-free focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor. Previously, the hospital performed the region’s first TriClip procedure for minimally invasive treatment of tricuspid regurgitation. Abbott Northwestern is currently in the midst of a 10-year campus revitalization project that includes a new LEED-certified critical care and surgery building, a highly efficient central utility plant, and modernized infrastructure designed to improve patient care and sustainability. The hospital is regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–26 as No. 4 in Minnesota and No. 2 in Minneapolis–St. Paul, and is rated high performing in two adult specialties and 17 procedures and conditions. Additional recognition includes a CMS 4-star overall rating, inclusion on Healthgrades’ 2025 “America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention” list and more.

Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, N.C.). Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center is a 1,336-bed academic medical center and the region’s only level 1 trauma center, delivering the highest level of emergency and specialty care across the Carolinas. As part of Charlotte-based Advocate Health, the nation’s third-largest nonprofit health system, the medical center anchors a network serving nearly 6 million patients annually and providing nearly $5 billion in community benefit each year. The hospital is a designated transplant center for heart, kidney, pancreas and liver, and serves as one of North Carolina’s five academic medical center teaching hospitals, training more than 200 residents across 15 specialties. The medical center also functions as a regional campus for Wake Forest University School of Medicine and as the educational hub of Charlotte’s $1.5 billion Pearl innovation district, home to the city’s first four-year medical school. Clinically, the medical center offers comprehensive, world-class care across virtually every specialty, supported by more than 1,100 physicians and providers. The hospital has major investments underway, including a new 12-story advanced care facility and expanded virtual care programs. Carolinas Medical Center has been named the No. 1 hospital in the Charlotte region by U.S. News & World Report for nine consecutive years. 

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center (Milwaukee). Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center is the largest hospital in the state with 938 beds and a comprehensive network of physicians, nurses and specialists delivering advanced care across more than 115 specialties. It is the only hospital in Wisconsin with a 24/7 on-site heart care team, making it a destination for complex and emergent cardiovascular treatment. Aurora St. Luke’s is a national leader in innovation, recently completing its 5,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement, ranking it fourth in the nation by volume, and performing the Midwest’s first vagus nerve stimulator implant. Its commitment to research and advancement is reflected in participation in the National Cancer Institute’s “Cancer Moonshot Biobank” study and continued investment in cutting-edge therapies. Nationally recognized for clinical excellence, Aurora St. Luke’s was ranked No. 1 in the Milwaukee metro area and No. 2 in Wisconsin by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–26. The hospital earned its sixth consecutive Magnet designation in 2024, cementing it among the elite for nursing excellence and patient outcomes.

Banner–University Medical Center Phoenix. Nationally recognized for its leadership in advanced specialty care, medical education and clinical innovation, Banner–University Medical Center Phoenix is Arizona’s largest hospital. It serves as a premier regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care across the Southwest, with exceptional distinction in neurosciences, cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, sports medicine and organ transplantation. The hospital provides an immersive training environment for 745 residents and fellows across 50 programs, recently expanding graduate medical education by 250 slots to address critical healthcare workforce needs in urban and rural settings throughout Arizona and beyond. The hospital is home to Arizona’s largest heart transplant program and the world’s busiest total artificial heart program. It also operates Arizona’s busiest birthing center, with 7,400 annual deliveries and designation as the state’s first level 4 perinatal center. With 36,000 annual admissions, 18,000 surgical procedures and 78,000 emergency department visits, the hospital recently opened a state-of-the-art neurocritical care unit featuring Arizona’s most advanced monitoring technology. Banner–University Medical Center Phoenix joined the elite 1% of hospitals globally by achieving its fifth Magnet redesignation for nursing excellence in 2025, and ranks in the top two Arizona hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26. It is the flagship facility for Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country.

Banner–University Medical Center Tucson. Ranked the region’s No. 1 hospital by U.S. News & World Report, Banner–University Medical Center Tucson’s 649-bed academic medical center is the primary teaching hospital for University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson. The medical center boasts the nation’s leading Valley Fever Research Center, a partnership with Banner Alzheimer’s Institute to achieve global breakthroughs, and the only Arizona-based NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. It is also the state’s only hospital to perform fetal surgery and have a Joint Commission–accredited spine program. It is Arizona’s largest, most comprehensive “cardioMEMS” heart failure program, one of just two burns centers statewide for adults and children, and Tucson’s only Magnet-certified hospital. Diamond Children’s Medical Center, state’s only pediatric facility co-located with an adult academic hospital, ensures seamless care transitions into adulthood for children with chronic conditions. The academic mission has significant impact, training 615 residents across 22 accredited residencies and 126 fellows in 41 fellowship programs. 33% of graduates from the past five years practice in Arizona, directly addressing the state’s physician shortage. In 2024, the medical center had 24,330 surgeries, 117,867 emergency visits, 34,401 inpatient admissions, 766,366 outpatient visits and 2,683 births. 

Baptist Health Baptist Hospital (Miami). Baptist Health Baptist Hospital is the flagship hospital of Coral Gables, Fla.-based Baptist Health South Florida, serving Miami and the surrounding region with nationally recognized, high-quality care. A destination for patients across South Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America, Baptist Hospital is known for excellence in complex and specialized treatment. It is home to Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Miami Neuroscience Institute, bringing leading oncology, heart and vascular, and neuroscience care together on one campus. Patients benefit from advanced technologies such as robotic-assisted surgery, cutting-edge diagnostics and a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary care model. Baptist Hospital is a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, the first in Florida to earn the designation and the only hospital in the state to receive it six consecutive times, placing it among fewer than 1% nationwide. The hospital received a 4-star rating from CMS. As the anchor of the region’s largest healthcare system, it is supported by 12 hospitals, more than 28,000 employees, 4,500 physicians, and 200 outpatient and urgent care sites. Baptist Health Baptist Hospital is also an academic affiliate of Florida International University, combining clinical excellence with education.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis). Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the largest hospital in Missouri and a major teaching affiliate of Washington University School of Medicine, delivers world-class quaternary care supported by a medical staff of more than 1,800 physicians. The hospital is home to the Siteman Cancer Center, the region’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, and offers leading programs in heart and vascular care, lung and thoracic surgery, neurosciences and orthopedics. It is also one of the world’s largest transplant centers. Thanks to its deep research partnership with Washington University, Barnes-Jewish has pioneered numerous global medical firsts, including the world’s first successful double-lung transplant, robotic heart surgery innovations and groundbreaking minimally invasive kidney donation techniques. As the region’s first American College of Surgeons-verified level 1 trauma center, the hospital provides unmatched emergency and critical care expertise across Missouri and the Midwest. Its Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology continues to lead in imaging innovation, introducing landmark technologies such as PET/CT integration. As Missouri’s first adult Magnet-designated hospital, Barnes-Jewish is nationally acclaimed for nursing excellence. The hospital is also nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties and was named the best hospital in the state and in St. Louis by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston). Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a 766-bed academic medical center and a major teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Part of Cambridge, Mass.-based Beth Israel Lahey Health, the medical center delivers advanced care across cardiovascular medicine, cancer, neuroscience, orthopedics, organ transplantation and emergency services, including a level 1 trauma center with a rooftop heliport. The hospital supports a robust clinical operation with more than 760,000 outpatient visits, 39,000 inpatient discharges and 55,000 emergency department visits annually. The medical center’s physicians, most of whom hold Harvard faculty appointments, also train the next generation of clinicians across medicine, nursing and allied health professions. Research is central to the medical center’s mission, with more than $300 million in annual funding, over 2,500 active sponsored projects and many clinical trials underway. U.S. News & World Report ranks the medical center among the top five hospitals in Boston and in the state, and top 50 nationally in nine specialties for 2025-26. Meanwhile, Newsweek named it No. 22 in the nation for 2025, and CMS awarded the hospital a 4-star overall rating. 

Boston Children’s Hospital. One of the world’s leading pediatric academic medical centers, Boston Children’s Hospital is known for advancing the health and wellbeing of children by providing exceptional care, conducting groundbreaking research and training the next generation of clinicians. It is currently ranked the No. 1 pediatric hospital in the U.S. by Newsweek and is consistently recognized among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. Boston Children’s serves as a global hub for discovery, with advances that have shaped modern pediatric medicine and influenced care worldwide. As the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, it is home to the world’s largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center and treats more children with rare diseases than any hospital in the world. Its discoveries have benefited children and adults since 1869. Today, 6,500 researchers and scientific staff, including 16 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 37 members of the National Academy of Medicine, 12 Howard Hughes Medical Investigators, 8 Lasker Awards and 3 Nobel Prizes comprise Boston Children’s research community. Recent innovation efforts are anchored in “Transforming Tomorrow,” a major expansion and modernization initiative. Cutting-edge research programs include fetal intervention studies for vein of Galen malformation, advanced fetal MRI technologies and placental imaging research to better guide high-risk deliveries. 

Boston Medical Center. Boston Medical Center is a 675-bed flagship academic medical center and the largest essential hospital in New England, blending clinical excellence with a deep commitment to access and equity. As the primary teaching affiliate of the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, the medical center is a national leader in research, ranking second among essential hospitals for National Institutes of Health funding and producing more than 1,400 research publications in fiscal year 2024. Clinically, Boston Medical Center is nationally ranked in four adult specialties by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, and is home to New England’s largest sickle cell disease center, becoming the first hospital in the region to offer breakthrough gene therapies for sickle cell disease in 2023. The medical center delivers culturally responsive care through the region’s most extensive interpreter services program, providing translation in more than 150 languages for a highly diverse patient population. The hospital is also redefining healthcare innovation through first-in-the-nation programs that address social and environmental drivers of health, including its “Clean Power Prescription” and rooftop urban farming initiatives. In 2025, the medical center earned recognition from Castle Connolly, Forbes, Newsweek and The Joint Commission for excellence in clinical care, workforce culture and sustainability. 

Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston). Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a world-class academic medical center and one of the nation’s leading destinations for complex, high-acuity care, drawing patients from across New England, all 50 states and more than 120 countries. As a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, the Brigham is recognized by U.S. News & World Report across a wide range of specialties, including cancer, heart and vascular care, endocrinology, gastrointestinal surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, pulmonology, rheumatology and urology. The hospital anchors a network of 1,200 physicians and 150 outpatient practices across Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham, enabling seamless access to specialty and community care within one of the country’s most advanced integrated systems. A global leader in quality and safety, the Brigham helped pioneer computerized physician order entry, now a national standard for reducing medication errors, and continues to strengthen systems that uphold the “five rights” of safe medication administration. The Brigham Research Institute is among the world’s most significant biomedical research engines and is the third-largest National Institutes of Health-funded independent hospital in the U.S. Brigham and Women’s Hospital supports more than 1,000 principal investigators and over $640 million in total research funding. With 1,100 trainees across 140 highly competitive programs and robust global health opportunities, the Brigham is also a premier training ground for future leaders in medicine, nursing and allied health professions.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles). Cedars-Sinai is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the nation, serving more than one million people annually across over 40 locations with a commitment to excellence, innovation and community health. Consistently ranked on the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” honor roll for 10 consecutive years and recognized as the No. 1 hospital in California, Cedars-Sinai delivers top-tier care across numerous specialties, including cancer, heart and vascular care, neurology, orthopedics, GI surgery and rheumatology. Its research enterprise encompasses more than 2,000 active projects and positions Cedars-Sinai among the nation’s leading centers for biomedical discovery, powering breakthroughs that advance treatment and understanding of disease worldwide. In 2024, the organization launched Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, offering PhD programs and advanced clinical training that prepare future leaders in medicine, translational science, AI and health technology. Cedars-Sinai also plays a vital role in the Los Angeles community, providing extensive care to uninsured and underinsured residents through partnerships with schools, clinics, shelters and local organizations. Recently, Cedars-Sinai was selected as the official medical provider for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where it will lead athlete medical care and venue-based medical operations. 

Children’s Hospital Colorado (Aurora). Children’s Hospital Colorado is the state’s leading pediatric health system according to U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, caring for more children than any other hospital across the Rocky Mountain area and delivering highly specialized, family-centered care across four hospitals and multiple outpatient sites. With more than 3,000 pediatric specialists and 8,000 employees, the organization offers comprehensive services designed exclusively for children, including the region’s only level 1 pediatric trauma center and more than 400 outreach clinics that extend expert care throughout Colorado and neighboring states. Children’s Colorado is a national leader in pediatric research and education, supported by over $182 million in annual National Institutes of Health funding, 1,200 active studies, and the 2024 launch of the Colorado Child Health Research Institute, a major collaboration with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Its facilities incorporate evidence-based design elements like private rooms, healing color therapy and restorative natural views, aiming to reduce stress, accelerate recovery and create an optimal healing environment. The system advances community health through significant advocacy initiatives focused on child mental health, social determinants of health, injury prevention and access to care, while providing more than $459 million in community benefit activities in 2023. Children’s Colorado also serves as an educational hub, training pediatric clinicians across the region through in-person and online programs aimed at improving pediatric care in all settings. 

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a 386-bed pediatric academic medical center and one of the nation’s premier destinations for complex pediatric care, delivering more high-acuity services than any other children’s hospital in California. Supported by more than 8,000 team members and 1,000 medical staff, CHLA manages nearly 17,000 surgeries, 747,000 patient visits and more than 18,000 inpatient admissions each year, impacting one in five children across Los Angeles County through its hospital, affiliations and community partnerships. The hospital is a national leader in pediatric oncology, heart care, neurosciences, orthopedics and transplantation, operating one of the country’s largest pediatric liver transplant programs and providing nearly half of all complex pediatric care in Los Angeles County. As a major safety-net provider, CHLA cares for a predominantly Medi-Cal–covered patient population, reinforcing its commitment to equitable access. Education and research are central to its mission, with the largest pediatric residency program at a freestanding children’s hospital in the western U.S., 32 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs, and a research enterprise that supports nearly 600 active clinical trials and $51 million in annual National Institutes of Health funding. Recent innovations include becoming the West Coast’s leading pediatric provider of FDA-approved cell and gene therapies, launching a groundbreaking universal infant–family mental health program supported by a historic $25 million gift, and establishing the first-of-its-kind Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute. CHLA continues to accelerate pediatric health tech innovation through KidsX, a 25-hospital international accelerator network enabling more than 80 new technologies. Additional advances include opening a cardiac imaging suite featuring the only low-field MRI in a U.S. pediatric hospital and achieving the nation’s best one- and three-year outcomes for pediatric liver transplantation.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Founded in 1855, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is the first hospital in the nation dedicated exclusively to pediatrics. It has two inpatient hospital locations, a care network with more than 50 sites and two dedicated behavioral health facilities, one of which includes 30 inpatient psychiatric beds and a 24/7 crisis response center. With 576,800 square feet of dedicated research space and more than 1,130 principal investigators, CHOP is home to dozens of world-renowned research programs focused on translating lab discoveries into new treatments and cures for both common and rare diseases. Some of the most transformational modern-day pediatric breakthroughs began with research at CHOP, including the first cell therapy for cancer, Kymriah, and the first gene therapy for congenital blindness, Luxturna, both of which were approved in the U.S. in 2017. CHOP is also deeply committed to the community, offering over 100 community programs to address key issues including the behavioral health crisis, community violence, and food and housing insecurity. CHOP invested more than $500 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2024 alone. CHOP has been named one of the top pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years, and is ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania and is tied for No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic. 

Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Children’s Medical Center Dallas is the flagship hospital of Children’s Health and a nationally recognized pediatric academic medical center, with 488 beds and more than one million patient visits annually. As the leading pediatric health system in North Texas, Children’s Health serves children and families from across the region, the nation and the world, delivering highly specialized care for complex and rare conditions. Children’s Medical Center Dallas is home to North Texas’ only pediatric level 1 trauma center, a level 4 NICU, a level 1 children’s surgery center, the region’s only pediatric heart transplant program and the nation’s second-largest pediatric dialysis program. Children’s Medical Center Dallas is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report in all pediatric specialties, reflecting excellence across cardiology, cancer, neurology, neonatology, orthopedics and behavioral health. Its research and innovation leadership includes groundbreaking cancer and microbiome research, a nationally leading heart transplant program and one of the most advanced pediatric virtual care platforms in the country. The organization has earned four consecutive Magnet designations for nursing excellence, as well as recognition as one of the nation’s most innovative healthcare systems. With plans underway for a transformative new pediatric campus developed with Dallas-based UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Medical Center Dallas is investing boldly in the future of pediatric care.

Children’s National Hospital (Washington, D.C.). Children’s National Hospital is a top-10 pediatric hospital nationally and is tied for No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic region, recognized by U.S. News & World Report for exceptional clinical care and outcomes. The organization is home to the Children’s National Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, with more than 70% of research funding coming from federal agencies and 60% from the National Institutes of Health, positioning it as a national leader in pediatric discovery and translational science. Through the rehabilitation and specialized care program, the hospital extends comprehensive services to children with complex medical needs while reducing barriers to care across the region. The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus, opened in 2021, serves as a first-of-its-kind pediatric research hub, supporting hundreds of investigators, 120 pediatric residents, 187 specialty residents and 166 fellows each year. Community impact remains central to its mission, reflected in more than $218 million in annual community benefit, over 140 advocacy and service programs, and national injury-prevention leadership through Safe Kids Worldwide. Families also benefit from the hospital’s partnership with Disney, which enhances comfort and emotional support through immersive storytelling experiences. Looking ahead, Children’s National is launching a major digital transformation, including an Epic EHR transition, a new enterprise data and AI platform, and a move to the Workday platform.

Christiana Hospital (Newark, Del.). Christiana Hospital, the flagship hospital of Newark-based ChristianaCare, is a 1,039-bed, 1.3-million-square-foot academic medical center delivering the advanced capabilities of a major teaching hospital and serving as Delaware’s only level 1 trauma center, the only such facility between Baltimore and Philadelphia. The hospital is home to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, an National Cancer Institute-selected community cancer center conducting cutting-edge oncology research and offering leading medical, surgical and radiation therapies. Its Center for Heart & Vascular Health performs more than 1,000 open-heart surgeries annually and thousands of interventional procedures, supported by nearly 50 active clinical trials each year. Adjacent to these clinical programs, the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center provides extensive training infrastructure, including a high-fidelity simulation lab and 240-seat auditorium for the next generation of clinicians. The Center for Women’s & Children’s Health, an eight-story, 400,000-square-foot tower opened in 2020, features one of the nation’s few NICUs offering couplet care, keeping medically complex mothers and infants together, and includes a multilevel Ronald McDonald Room to support families. Christiana Hospital also delivers comprehensive pediatric emergency services and operates the state’s only high-risk maternity program with a level 3 NICU, facilitating more than 6,100 births annually. Looking ahead, the ChristianaCare system is undergoing one of its largest system transformations with an enterprise Epic EHR implementation. Christiana Hospitals are ranked No. 1 in Delaware by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26.

Cincinnati Children’s. Cincinnati Children’s is a 720-bed nonprofit pediatric academic medical center and one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. It is consistently ranked on the U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” honor roll and is nationally ranked in 11 pediatric specialties, as well as earning the No. 1 spot in Ohio and the Midwest. Serving more than 1.7 million patient encounters annually, Cincinnati Children’s provides care through two hospital campuses, a dedicated mental health campus, and more than 50 outpatient and specialty sites across the region. The health system is a top-three recipient of pediatric research funding from the National Institutes of Health, with its research foundation securing more than $300 million in external funding in 2023 alone. Cincinnati Children’s is also home to the nation’s largest inpatient pediatric mental health program, supported by significant investments in facilities and services to address the growing mental health needs of children. Through its academic partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, the hospital combines world-class research, education and clinical care to drive discoveries that improve outcomes for children worldwide. Cincinnati Children’s boasts a legacy of breakthroughs, ranging from the oral polio vaccine to modern advances in imaging and child health equity.

City of Hope (Duarte, Calif.). One of the nation’s largest, most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations, City of Hope is home to a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center with the highest possible “exceptional” rating. Ranked among the top 10 hospitals for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report, City of Hope is known for transforming research into treatments for cancer and related life-threatening illnesses, including diabetes, sickle cell and HIV. Its scientists have pioneered breakthroughs such as monoclonal antibodies, the foundational technology for human synthetic insulin, and next-generation immunotherapies that now benefit more than 100 million people worldwide. With more than 2,000 scientists and clinicians, City of Hope leverages state-of-the-art laboratories and on-site biomanufacturing to accelerate CAR T cell therapies and advanced cellular treatments from discovery to patient care at unprecedented speed. A partnership with the Translational Genomics Research Institute also expands its precision medicine capabilities. Committed to increasing access to advanced cancer treatments, City of Hope operates cancer centers in five major U.S. metropolitan areas and has developed one of the nation’s most advanced clinical trial networks, ensuring more people participate in promising investigational studies. One of the largest philanthropic organizations in cancer medicine enables City of Hope to continue advancing discoveries year-after-year, expand access to care and ensure that lifesaving treatments reach more people, faster.

Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic is one of the world’s largest and most respected integrated health systems, caring for millions of patients annually through 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities and more than 82,000 caregivers worldwide. Ranked among the top hospitals in the nation, the organization remains grounded in its century-long mission to care for patients, advance life-changing research and educate future caregivers. Its nationally recognized Centers of Excellence program, which spans cardiac, musculoskeletal, bariatric and cancer care, has redefined value-based care, delivering 60,000 patient encounters, $55 million in savings, a 24% reduction in avoidable readmissions, and a Net Promoter Score of 96 for employer-partnered care. Cleveland Clinic also serves as an anchor institution in Ohio, reinvesting revenue into community health, workforce development and expanded access. Through Cleveland Clinic Innovations and a major new collaboration with Khosla Ventures, the system is accelerating AI-driven diagnostics, digital tools and next-generation therapeutics, building on a portfolio of 900 commercialized technologies and more than 100 spin-off companies. Its virtual second-opinion and predictive-care programs ensure that patients nationwide can access world-class expertise before ever traveling for treatment. 

Community Hospital-Munster (Ind.). Community Hospital, one of four premier facilities within Northwest Indiana-based Powers Health, delivers exceptional, patient-centered care across a full continuum of inpatient, outpatient and specialty services. Supported by the Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, the hospital anchors a broad regional network that includes surgical and rehabilitation centers, physician practices, behavioral health services, occupational health, home care, a medically based fitness center, and dedicated cancer research and support programs. With more than 40 specialty service lines, including advanced cardiology and electrophysiology, comprehensive cancer care, orthopedic and spine services, maternal and neonatal care, neurology, pulmonology, robotic-assisted surgery, sleep medicine, and extensive imaging and therapy services, Community Hospital provides the most complete scope of care in the region. Its clinical teams adhere to the highest standards of safety and quality, ensuring that every patient receives coordinated, evidence-based care that leads to consistently superior outcomes. In recognition of this excellence, U.S. News & World Report named Community Hospital the No. 1 hospital in Indiana for 2025–26, ranked it No. 11 in the Chicago metro area, and awarded 13 “high performing” ratings across major service categories.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston). Dana-Farber Cancer is internationally recognized as a leader in cancer care, research and innovation. Founded by Sidney Farber, known as the father of modern chemotherapy, the National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center pairs groundbreaking science with compassionate, equitable care and is ranked among the nation’s top three hospitals for both adult and pediatric cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Dana-Farber conducts more than 1,200 clinical trials and supports more than 600,000 outpatient visits annually. From 2019-2024, it played a major role in the development of over half of all FDA-approved cancer drugs. The institute is a global leader in precision oncology and immunotherapy, with research that has shaped practice-changing advances in targeted therapies, cellular therapies and combination immunotherapies. Its faculty publishes more than 1,200 scientific papers each year, and a 2024 National Bureau of Economic Research analysis identified Dana-Farber as having the highest scientific output per researcher worldwide. Through a landmark collaboration with Beth Israel Lahey Health in Boston, Dana-Farber is now building Boston’s first freestanding adult inpatient cancer hospital, creating an integrated cancer care model that is poised to reshape cancer treatment for Boston and beyond.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon, N.H.). Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, the state’s only academic medical center and New Hampshire’s sole level 1 adult and level 2 pediatric trauma center, serves as the clinical and research hub of the broader Dartmouth Health system. The hospital’s physicians, scientists and educators collaborate closely with the Geisel School of Medicine and other national partners to advance cutting-edge treatments and translate medical discoveries directly into patient care. In the U.S. News & World Report 2025–26 rankings, the medical center was named New Hampshire’s best hospital, earning high-performing distinctions in 16 adult procedures and conditions. The medical center’s mission and vision reflect its dual identity: delivering premier academic medicine while setting the national standard for rural healthcare delivery. Dartmouth Health’s rural care leadership is strengthened by the Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team, which provides lifesaving ground and air transport across northern New England. Its integrated network, Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics, expands access to primary and specialty care across New Hampshire and Vermont, ensuring continuity, capability and community connection. The system recently worked alongside Dartmouth computer science researchers and a Geisel School of Medicine associate professor to create PortalPal, which uses AI to triage incoming messages and generate follow-up questions to patients.

Duke University Hospital (Durham, N.C.). Duke University Hospital is a nationally renowned tertiary and quaternary care center with 1,062 beds, a level 1 trauma/emergency center, 51 operating rooms, and one of the country’s most advanced diagnostic and interventional radiology programs. Consistently ranked the No. 1 hospital in North Carolina and among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report, Duke is recognized in 11 adult and 10 pediatric specialties. The hospital’s mission is to put the person who needs care at the center of everything, anchoring its culture of teamwork, integrity, diversity, excellence and uncompromising safety. As the flagship of Duke University Health System, its clinicians deliver leading-edge care across cancer, cardiology, endocrinology, neurosurgery, transplant, orthopedics, pulmonology, obstetrics and many more specialties, all shaped by world-class academic research. The system maintains measurable transparency and accountability by publicly reporting third-party quality metrics, all part of its commitment to high performance and patient-centered outcomes. As a nonprofit system, it invests heavily in community health through programs that strengthen wellness, improve access and advance health equity across the region. The health system and its flagship also lead in digital innovation, using AI-driven care orchestration tools that improve patient flow, support zero-harm initiatives and increase systemwide agility.

Emory University Hospital (Atlanta). Emory University Hospital is a 500-bed quaternary care center staffed exclusively by Emory School of Medicine faculty, delivering nationally recognized expertise in cardiology, cardiac surgery, oncology, transplantation and neurosciences. As Georgia’s largest organ transplant center and the region’s leading academic hospital, Emory University Hospital provides highly specialized care for the most complex adult patients across Atlanta and the Southeast. Its emergency medicine training model pairs senior residents one-to-one with board-certified faculty attendings, ensuring exceptional clinical education while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. For 14 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Emory University Hospital the No. 1 hospital in both metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia, thanks to its commitment to quality, innovation and medical leadership. Emory’s culture prioritizes caregiver wellbeing, with recent investments aimed at reducing cognitive burden, strengthening team engagement and improving workplace experience. The hospital also implemented significant compensation increases for nurses, advanced practice providers, environmental services, guest services and other frontline team members, reinforcing workforce stability and excellence. 

Hackensack (N.J.) Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center. Hackensack University Medical Center is an 803-bed nonprofit academic medical center and Bergen County’s first hospital, recognized as New Jersey’s top-ranked hospital and among the top 20 hospitals nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–2026. With national rankings in ten adult specialties, including pulmonology, ear nose and throat, neurology and neurosurgery, geriatrics and cancer, the hospital is the first in the state to ever be recognized on the report’s honor roll. Hackensack University Medical Center is home to New Jersey’s first level 1 adult trauma center and a level 2 pediatric trauma center, supported by nationally acclaimed specialty programs including the John Theurer Cancer Center, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, and the Heart and Vascular Hospital. It is the first hospital in New Jersey, and second in the nation, to earn Magnet designation and now holds seven consecutive recognitions. From 2024 to 2025, the hospital achieved an 8% reduction in readmissions and a 26% decrease in hospital-acquired infections, preventing more than 120 patient complications through strengthened processes, technology investments and a culture of safety. Its Helena Theurer Pavilion, a nine-story surgical and critical care facility, has further elevated patient care with advanced operating room technologies and innovative clinical environments. 

Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is nationally recognized for its excellence in medical research, education and patient care. It is one of seven acute care hospitals that comprise the University of Pennsylvania Health System, a part of Penn Medicine. Founded as the first university-owned teaching hospital in the United States, the hospital is now in its 150th year, continuing its mission to improve lives through groundbreaking care and discovery. As the flagship of the health system, the hospital is closely linked to the Perelman School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania, serving as the clinical epicenter of the organization’s interconnected education and research missions. It offers an immersive training environment for future physicians and scientists, hosts numerous pioneering clinical trials, and benefits from Penn Medicine’s $580 million in annual National Institutes of Health grant funding to drive the development of new treatments and cures. Notable areas of clinical and research excellence include oncology, cardiology and neurology. The hospital is also home to the Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs, which is a 1.5 million-square-foot, 17-story facility that stands as the largest capital project in the university’s history. The center features 504 private patient rooms and 47 operating rooms, designed to deliver the treatments of tomorrow, today. Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian was named among the U.S. News & World Report‘s honor roll for 2025-26, regionally ranked as best in the state and in Philadelphia. 

Houston Methodist Hospital. Houston Methodist Hospital is a 1,020-bed nonprofit academic medical center and the flagship of Houston Methodist, ranked the No. 1 hospital in Texas for 14 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital delivers advanced, multidisciplinary care across six centers of excellence, integrating clinical treatment, research and education to elevate outcomes across cancer, heart and vascular, transplantation, digestive health, neurosciences, and orthopedics and sports medicine. With more than 8,400 employees and over 600,000 annual patient encounters, the organization provides highly specialized expertise supported by state-of-the-art technology, evidence-based practice and a values-driven culture centered on integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence. Houston Methodist Hospital’s clinical leadership is reflected in national rankings across 10 adult specialties and high-performing status in all 22 evaluated procedures and conditions. Its longstanding affiliation with the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church reinforces a mission-driven, patient- and family-centered environment designed to promote healing and spiritual wellbeing. Houston Methodist’s commitment to continuous innovation is supported by a robust research enterprise and a teaching infrastructure that prepares future clinical leaders in a high-quality, safety-focused learning environment. 

Inova Fairfax Hospital (Falls Church, Va.). Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is Inova’s flagship location and a 928-bed academic medical center serving Northern Virginia, the Washington, D.C., metro area and beyond. The campus includes Inova Fairfax Hospital, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular, Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Inova Neurosciences, Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital and Inova Women’s Hospital, offering comprehensive care across the lifespan. It is Northern Virginia’s only level 1 trauma center and provides advanced organ transplant services for heart, lung, kidney and pancreas patients. The campus is also home to the region’s only dedicated cardiac hospital and the only dedicated women’s hospital in Northern Virginia, along with a nationally recognized 226-bed children’s hospital. As an independent academic medical center, Inova Fairfax serves as a regional medical school campus and supports extensive residency and fellowship training in partnership with leading medical, nursing and pharmacy schools. Inova Fairfax Hospital has been ranked No. 1 in Virginia and the D.C. metro area for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–26. The hospital is also a national leader in patient safety, earning 15 consecutive “A” safety grades from the Leapfrog Group.

Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore). The Johns Hopkins Hospital, founded in 1889 and long considered the birthplace of modern academic medicine, remains one of the world’s most influential institutions in patient care, research and medical education. With more than 43,000 annual admissions, 94,000 emergency visits and over 2,400 full-time attending physicians, the hospital delivers high-acuity, multidisciplinary care grounded in scientific discovery and clinical excellence. The hospital’s nursing department has held Magnet designation since 2003, the first in Maryland to achieve this distinction, reflecting two decades of sustained leadership in nursing quality and patient outcomes. The hospital’s recent Leapfrog “A” Safety Grade underscores its strong performance in preventing infections, medical errors and other patient harms. Beyond its walls, Johns Hopkins operates more than 300 community programs, targeting high-priority health needs in Baltimore such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, maternal and child health, mental health and substance use. Through initiatives like “HopkinsLocal” and the office of government, community and economic partnerships, the institution leverages its economic and educational resources to build safer, healthier and more vibrant neighborhoods. The hospital was ranked on U.S. News & World Report‘s honor roll for 2025-26, bolstered by national rankings in 15 adult and 10 children’s specialties. Regionally, it was named the top hospital at the state and city level. 

Keck Hospital of USC (Los Angeles). Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed academic medical center and the flagship hospital of Keck Medicine of USC, providing highly specialized care for some of the most complex and critically ill patients in the nation. As a leading teaching hospital, it offers access to hundreds of active clinical trials, enabling patients to receive novel therapies and advanced treatments often unavailable elsewhere. The hospital is known for delivering highly individualized care plans through multidisciplinary teams that integrate cutting-edge research with compassionate, patient-centered medicine. In recognition of its commitment to quality and safety, Keck Hospital was named a 2025 “Top Teaching Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group and earned “A” hospital safety grades in both spring and fall 2025. Vizient Inc. also ranked Keck Hospital among the top 12 hospitals nationally for excellence in delivering high-quality care in 2025. Keck Medical Center of USC, which includes Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, ranked among the top 50 hospitals nationally in seven specialties and top 10 in California in U.S. News & World Report‘s 2025–26 rankings. Beyond clinical excellence, Keck Hospital is distinguished by its focus on workforce wellbeing through its “Care for the Caregiver” program, reinforcing a culture that supports both exceptional care delivery and staff resilience.

MUSC Health-University Medical Center (Charleston, S.C.). MUSC Health University Medical Center is South Carolina’s leading academic health system and has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in the state for 11 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. The center includes four hospitals: University Hospital, Ashley River Tower, the Children’s Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatry, along with the National Cancer Institute-designated Hollings Cancer Center and the state’s only solid organ transplant center. As South Carolina’s sole level 1 trauma center and one of only two national telehealth centers of excellence in the nation, the medical center provides advanced, statewide access to high-acuity and virtual care. Its patient- and family-centered mission is strengthened by robust education and research programs that continuously elevate clinical quality and innovation. Beyond Charleston, the medical center extends its reach through a network of community locations across the state, making world-class care accessible from Bluffton to Myrtle Beach and Greenville. The medical center prioritizes hospitality and comfort, offering amenities designed to enhance every patient’s experience. Recent innovations across the medical center include the use of AI to streamline the intake and registration process, which has led to enhanced patient access, more efficiency and less burnout for staff, and fewer barriers to care equity. 

Maine Health Maine Medical Center (Portland). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, a multi-campus academic medical center with locations in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, is the state’s largest hospital and a cornerstone of high-quality care in northern New England. With 929 licensed beds and 9,000 care team members, the medical center delivers advanced clinical services, conducts leading medical research and trains the next generation of healthcare professionals. As part of the MaineHealth integrated system, the medical center provides patients seamless access to world-class specialists, behavioral health services, pediatric care, diagnostic services, and home health and hospice programs. The Portland campus serves as a level 1 trauma center and houses the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, a 116-bed pediatric center with a level 3 NICU, while the Biddeford and Sanford campuses provide essential community-based inpatient services. The medical center is committed to improving the health of the communities it serves, consistent with MaineHealth’s vision of making its communities the healthiest in the nation. Since first admitting patients in 1874, the medical center has continually expanded its capabilities to meet evolving regional needs through cutting-edge care, education and research. The medical center has earned repeated national recognition, including four consecutive Magnet designations. At the regional level, U.S. News & World Report has named the medical center No. 1 in both Portland and the state of Maine. 

Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston). Massachusetts General Hospital, ranked among the nation’s honor roll hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–2026, continues its 200-year legacy as a global leader in clinical excellence, research innovation and community health. The hospital is nationally ranked in 14 adult specialties, is “high performing” in 23 procedures and conditions, and is ranked No. 1 in both Boston and Massachusetts as a whole. As home to the Mass General Research Institute, the hospital advances discoveries across the full translational spectrum, ranging from bench to bedside to population. The hospital builds on historic breakthroughs such as the first use of general anesthesia, the development of a tuberculosis vaccine and the creation of the modern PET scan. As Harvard Medical School’s original teaching affiliate and the founder of the MGH Institute of Health Professions, Mass General trains clinicians who deliver evidence-based, academically driven care that enhances outcomes for patients locally and worldwide. The hospital’s commitment to community wellbeing is reflected in robust initiatives through the Center for Community Health Improvement, which partners with longstanding health centers throughout the state and collaborates with the Kraft Center for Community Health to design scalable solutions to complex public health challenges. In December 2024, Mass General received a transformative $100 million gift to support the multi-year construction of the new Philip and Susan Ragon Building, which will house an expanded Mass General Cancer Center. When completed in 2027, the facility will include two towers, one named the Herb Chambers Tower, featuring 228 acute care beds, 32 ICU beds and an 8,000-square-foot rooftop garden designed to enhance healing environments. 

Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.). Mayo Clinic, the world’s largest integrated nonprofit medical group practice, continues to redefine patient-centered care through its team-based model, global reach and relentless research enterprise. Its nearly 150-year legacy of innovation, which originated with a pioneering approach to coordinated medicine, now extends to transformative initiatives like the Mayo Clinic Platform, which accelerates earlier diagnoses and novel therapies through advanced analytics and digital technologies. Ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report across more specialties in the top three than any other hospital, Mayo Clinic delivers high-quality care to 1.3 million patients annually from more than 130 countries, all while driving advancements that shape modern clinical practice. The organization is equally committed to improving health equity, investing $100 million to eliminate racism, expand diversity pipelines, and partner with communities to reduce disparities through education, personalized care and inclusive research. Mayo Clinic also leads national sustainability efforts with a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% within 10 years as part of the “Better Climate Challenge.” Recently, the system launched Mayo Clinic Platform_Insights, offering health systems a guided path to adopting AI tools trained on one of the world’s largest clinical datasets, including 6 billion images, 3 billion lab tests and 1.6 billion clinical notes. Mayo Clinic has also recently created an AI model that identified double the amount of advanced chronic liver disease cases in asymptomatic patients, as compared to the normal diagnostic methods. This initiative fits into the system’s “Precure” program, which aims to anticipate and treat diseases earlier.

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (Houston). For more than a century, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center has served as a leader in adult and pediatric trauma care, serving as one of only two level 1 trauma centers in Southeast Texas, and as a national leader in academic medicine as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center. It is also home to some of the nation’s best-in-class heart and vascular, trauma and kidney care centers, along with providing other critical community services. Memorial Hermann Life Flight, one of the first two U.S. air medical services, with 165,000 flights since its inception and 4,200 missions annually over a 150-mile radius, first took to the skies from Memorial Hermann-TMC in 1976 under the leadership of James “Red” Duke, a world-renowned surgeon and pioneer in trauma medicine. Memorial Hermann-TMC is one of the nation’s busiest level 1 trauma centers, treating over 14,000 adult and pediatric patients each year. The campus includes TIRR Memorial Hermann, ranked second in the U.S. for medical rehabilitation, and Children’s Memorial Hermann, which in partnership with Memorial Hermann-TMC has been recognized with multiple awards, including several national U.S. News & World Report rankings. Memorial Hermann-TMC is also known for leading-edge care in neuroscience, orthopedics, women’s health and organ transplantation, among other cutting- edge services. As part of the world famous Texas Medical Center, Memorial Hermann-TMC transforms frontline insights into scalable health solutions that streamline high-quality, value-focused patient care, improve patient outcomes and experiences, and enhance health in the communities served.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York City). Long regarded as one of the world’s most respected cancer centers, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has been ranked among the top two cancer hospitals in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years and named the world’s best hospital for oncology by Newsweek‘s “World’s Best Specialized Hospitals” 2026 list. It has consistently translated foundational science into practice-changing care. In 2024–2025, Memorial Sloan Kettering helped advance the oncology field through landmark immunotherapy trials, including a rectal cancer study that achieved a 100% complete response rate and earned FDA “Breakthrough Therapy” designation, while embracing long-term innovation through the launch of the Olayan Center for Cancer Vaccines. Its research enterprise produced influential discoveries across immuno-oncology, RNA-based therapeutic vaccines, CAR T-cell engineering and AI-enabled diagnostics. Patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering have access to a robust program of over 1,800 clinical trials, enrolling 5,000 participants annually from around the world, offering cutting-edge therapies often unavailable elsewhere. Over the past five years, its research has contributed to more than 40 FDA-approved cancer treatments, including 10 in 2025 alone. It has led multidisciplinary efforts that have expanded immunotherapy indications, accelerated FDA approvals, and developed care pathways that reduce morbidity while preserving outcomes.

MemorialCare Long Beach (Calif.) Medical Center. With continual high ranks in U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, Newsweek and other leading organizations, Long Beach Medical Center is a renowned teaching hospital. Located alongside MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, it is one of Southland’s only campuses where children, especially those with chronic conditions, receive a lifetime of care in one location. Together, these hospitals are the West’s second largest campus, known for innovations in many clinical areas. The medical center’s four consecutive years on “America’s Best Hospitals” for obstetrics and gynecology is grounded in history that includes the first U.S. hospital-based perinatology program and one of the nation’s largest NICUs. MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute, with 20,000 annual tests and treatments, has many “firsts”, beginning over 75 years ago with the co-invention of modern-day maximum stress tests to detect heart disease and now saving hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Other global firsts include creating a blood test to determine myocardial infarction, building a cardiology computer registry, being among the first blood banks for open heart surgery, and revolutionizing the placement, size and longevity of pacemakers. Cancer innovations include being among the nation’s first community breast health centers, which along with MemorialCare sister hospitals now screen nearly 75,000 annually in several locations, as well as radiation oncology breakthroughs resulting in procedures named after pioneering physicians. In addition to U.S. News & World Report and many Healthgrades honors, Long Beach Medical Center is a seven-year honoree of Newsweek‘s “Best Hospitals” lists and appears in its 2025 “America’s Best Hospitals” list for cancer, neurology and orthopedics.

Miriam Hospital (Providence, R.I.). The Miriam Hospital is currently ranked No. 1 in Rhode Island and was named a best regional hospital for the 14th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report for the 2025-26 period. In addition, it is one of only four hospitals worldwide to achieve seven consecutive Magnet designations, reflecting more than two decades of nursing excellence. As a major teaching affiliate of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, The Miriam delivers leading-edge care supported by active research and a highly trained clinical workforce of more than 816 physicians, 650 nurses and 2,800 employees. The hospital is distinguished for specialized programs including its Joint Commission–certified primary stroke center, the high-volume and nationally lauded total joint center, and its award-winning center for medical and surgical weight loss. Additional centers of excellence, such as the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute, provide advanced laparoscopic and robotic procedures that prioritize function, recovery and long-term patient outcomes. The Miriam’s culture of safety, shared governance and empowerment enables nurses and care teams to “stop the line,” raise concerns and innovate solutions in real time.

Mississippi Baptist Medical Center (Jackson). Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, the state’s first hospital and a cornerstone of downtown Jackson since 1908, is now a modern, comprehensive institution featuring the Baptist Cancer Center, a six-level cardiovascular center, and Baptist for Women. As part of Memphis, Tenn.-based Baptist Memorial Health Care since 2017, the hospital contributes to one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems while maintaining its longstanding focus on high-quality, compassionate care. The medical center is Mississippi’s first and only Magnet-designated hospital, a recognition it earned first in 2017 and again in 2023, underscoring its sustained excellence in nursing and patient outcomes. Each year, the hospital admits roughly 21,000 patients and performs more than 220,000 outpatient procedures, reflecting its essential role in regional care delivery. The medical center also serves as a training ground for future clinicians through robust internship and shadowing programs, as well as its accredited School of Medical Laboratory Science, founded in 1946. The organization’s clinical laboratories hold accreditation from the College of American Pathologists and the American Association of Blood Banks, supporting advanced diagnostics and education. Mississippi Baptist Medical Center was named the best regional hospital for both Mississippi and Jackson by U.S. News & World Report for the 2025-26 period, earning high-performing ratings in 15 categories. This is the seventh year in a row that the hospital has been named best-in-state. 

Montefiore Einstein (Bronx, N.Y.). Montefiore Einstein is one of New York’s leading academic health systems, serving more than 3 million people across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. With 10 hospitals, more than 200 ambulatory sites and 3,111 beds, Montefiore delivers comprehensive, patient-centered care that integrates medical treatment with programs addressing social determinants of health. The Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center maintains National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center designation and Commission on Cancer accreditation, while offering unique programs such as New York City’s only outpatient chemotherapy desensitization service. Montefiore is nationally recognized for clinical excellence, with U.S. News & World Report rankings in 11 adult specialties and three children’s specialties for 2025–26. The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore ranked nationally as well. The health system is also a leader in innovation and access, operating a centralized command center that manages more than 6,000 patient transfers annually and reduces time to treatment by one-third. Montefiore’s commitment to equity is exemplified by its Community Health Worker Institute, which has served more than 10,000 Bronx households and helped resolve or improve social needs for the vast majority of participating patients. Montefiore Einstein boasts robust research activity with more than 800 active clinical trials, major investments in behavioral health and community hospitals, and systemwide quality achievements such as diagnostic imaging center of excellence designation across all imaging sites.

Mount Sinai Hospital (New York City). The Mount Sinai Hospital is a 1,134-bed, tertiary-care academic medical center recognized globally for clinical excellence and breakthrough innovation. The hospital has driven major advances in AI-enabled diagnostics, including the KidneyIntelX test, which improves identification of rapid kidney-function decline by 72% and has already guided timely interventions for more than 2,500 patients. Mount Sinai also accelerates the commercialization of transformative surgical technologies, exemplified by custom 3D-printed orthopedic implants and AI-guided robotics developed through Monogram Orthopedics, an innovation initially supported by the system’s i3 Accelerator and BioDesign incubator. The hospital’s nursing workforce leads meaningful care-delivery improvements, including an EHR-embedded predictive tool that identifies patients at risk of pressure injuries, developed by frontline nurses and digital health leaders. Mount Sinai’s national leadership in AI-powered medicine includes pioneering access to secure generative-AI tools for all medical students and the launch of two major research centers focused on AI-driven drug discovery and pediatric innovation.  Mount Sinai stands out for its top global rankings from Newsweek, five-time Magnet designation, and its deep culture of research translation and community impact. The hospital has been featured on the U.S. News & World Report honor roll for 10 consecutive years as of 2025-26. 

MountainView Hospital (Las Vegas). MountainView Hospital is an award-winning 489-bed facility supported by more than 2,150 staff members and 1,200 physicians, delivering comprehensive, high-acuity care to patients across Southern Nevada. Nationally known for its top cardiothoracic center, integrated cardiology clinic and premier physician-training programs, the hospital consistently invests in quality, safety and advanced clinical capability. MountainView has earned extensive recognition, including being named one of the top 100 best hospitals by Healthgrades for 2024–2025, the best hospital in the state of Nevada by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, Joint Commission chest pain and primary stroke center accreditation, and center of excellence in robotic surgery designation. It is also the only hospital in Nevada to offer bone marrow transplantation and hold Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy accreditation, underscoring its leadership in complex, lifesaving treatments. The hospital’s clinical excellence spans numerous specialties, with repeated national distinctions in cardiac care, orthopedics, gastrointestinal surgery, critical care, surgical care, prostate surgery and stroke, reflecting sustained top-tier performance across nearly every major service line. MountainView further strengthens the region’s clinical workforce through the Sunrise Health Graduate Medical Education Consortium, training future physicians and surgeons. 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, Ohio). Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a 674-bed, free-standing pediatric academic medical center and one of the largest nonprofit children’s health systems in the United States. It was named to the U.S. News & World Report honor roll for best children’s hospitals for the 2025–26 period, making it the 12th consecutive year the hospital has been recognized for national excellence across pediatric specialties. Serving more than 1.8 million patient visits annually, Nationwide Children’s delivers comprehensive care spanning primary care, complex specialty services, behavioral health, genomics, population health and health equity. The hospital is home to the department of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and subspecialists. Its Abigail Wexner Research Institute ranks among the top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities, translating discoveries directly into improved outcomes for children. Nationwide Children’s operates the largest neonatal network in the country, with more than 250 NICU beds, and performs more inpatient surgeries than any other children’s hospital in the nation. Recently, Nationwide Children’s contributed to a $9 million series C funding round for AngelEye Health, a pediatric tech startup. Looking to the future, the hospital is laser-focused on implementing scalable solutions that support continuous quality improvements. 

Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha). Nebraska Medical Center is the state’s largest hospital, with an international reputation for breakthroughs in cancer care, organ transplant and the treatment of infectious diseases. The 718-bed academic medical center is led by a team of more than 1,000 physicians in all major specialties, and serves as the major teaching hospital for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It is also home to the National Cancer Institute-designated Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Recent breakthroughs include performing the nation’s first allogeneic CAR T-cell treatments for both multiple sclerosis and lupus. The hospital is an American College of Surgeons-verified level 1 trauma center for adults and children, as well as the only Joint Commission-certified comprehensive stroke center in the region. The medical center has held Magnet nursing excellence recognition since 2008, and has been named U.S. News & World Report‘s best hospital in Nebraska for 14 consecutive years. Nebraska Medical Center is the flagship facility for Nebraska Medicine, a $3 billion, 10,500-employee, nonprofit academic health system that operates two hospitals and more than 70 specialty and primary care clinics, seeing approximately one million annual outpatient visits. Collaboration between the state of Nebraska and the Centers for Disease Control have led to the establishment of the nation’s largest operational biocontainment unit, enhancing the regional and national capacity to manage infectious diseases.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital (New York City). NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive academic medical centers, delivers world-class care across eight campuses with more than 4,000 beds, 10,000 affiliated physicians and 50,000 employees. Serving over 2 million annual visits, including 22,000 deliveries and 620,000 emergency visits, the hospital provides leading expertise in every major specialty, strengthened by its dual affiliation with Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. As an institution with a 250-year legacy of innovation, NewYork-Presbyterian has contributed transformative medical breakthroughs such as the Pap test and transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and continues advancing care through robust research and education. The hospital’s commitment to community health is reflected through initiatives led by the Dalio Center for Health Justice and its community, as well as population health programs that address inequities and strengthen local systems of care. Recently, NewYork-Presbyterian launched “Hospital at Home,” enabling eligible patients to receive acute-level hospital care where they live through twice-daily in-home clinician visits, remote monitoring and daily telehealth rounds. This model improves patient experience while advancing high-quality, integrated care beyond the traditional hospital setting. New York-Presbyterian Hospital is routinely recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top hospital in the nation and No. 1 in New York. The 2025-26 iteration of the list marks the 22nd consecutive year that the hospital has been named to the prestigious honor roll list.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (Miami). Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively dedicated to pediatric care, with 325 beds and a medical staff that includes approximately 800 attending physicians and more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The hospital is nationally recognized for excellence across pediatric medicine, with specialty programs consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. As home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States, Nicklaus Children’s plays a vital role in training the next generation of pediatric specialists. The hospital has maintained Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center since 2003, reflecting a long-standing commitment to nursing excellence and patient-centered care. Its integrated network of more than a dozen outpatient centers extends pediatric services across South Florida, improving access to urgent, rehabilitative and subspecialty care. Nicklaus Children’s is ranked nationally in seven pediatric specialties and recognized by Newsweek as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” for 2025. Recent affiliations with Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Broward Health further strengthen its role as a regional and academic leader in pediatric healthcare. The hospital also recently restructured into a regional operating structure with three markets, due to increasing healthcare needs across South Florida.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago). Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the only Illinois hospital to appear on U.S. News & World Report‘s honor roll for 14 consecutive years, is a nationally leading academic medical center delivering exceptional care across nearly every specialty. As the primary teaching hospital for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, it integrates world-class clinical expertise with cutting-edge research and access to innovative clinical trials, ensuring patients benefit from the latest scientific advancements. The hospital is nationally ranked in 11 specialties and is part of the broader Northwestern Medicine system, with five hospitals recognized among America’s best, reflecting its regional and national impact on clinical excellence. Northwestern Memorial Hospital has earned repeated Magnet recognition for nursing excellence and is celebrated for pioneering patient-centered design, including being one of the first hospitals in the nation to offer all private rooms, which has proven to enhance outcomes, reduce infections and support meaningful patient–care team collaboration. Its downtown Chicago campus, which includes Prentice Women’s Hospital and multiple specialty pavilions, is designed as a destination for integrated care, wellness, education, healthy retail and community engagement. Most recently, a transformative $25 million gift established the Dauten Behavioral Health Institute, a systemwide hub advancing coordinated behavioral health care, interdisciplinary research and innovative models such as the new bipolar center of excellence. 

NYU Langone Hospitals (New York City). NYU Langone Health is a 2,270-bed academic health system distinguished by sustained national leadership in quality, safety, research growth and clinical innovation. The system maintains a 5-star CMS quality rating, and is among an elite group of organizations with Magnet recognition across all hospitals. Its clinical enterprise delivers nationally ranked care in 13 specialties according to U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, including No. 1 rankings in neurology/neurosurgery and a tie for No. 1 in pulmonology and lung surgery, while Rusk Rehabilitation remains the top program in New York and among the top five nationwide. NYU Langone advances groundbreaking science, including major National Institutes of Health-funded initiatives in dementia, cancer and transplantation. The system also achieved a historic milestone when its surgical team performed the nation’s first fully robotic lung transplant, followed by the world’s first robotic double lung transplant. The system pairs research leadership with broad community impact, contributing $2.7 billion in community benefit in fiscal year 2023 and sustaining comprehensive programs that address social determinants of health. NYU Langone also leads in environmental stewardship, having reduced carbon emissions by 40% since 2005 and becoming the first New York City–based member of the Health Care Climate Council. Recent innovations include AI-enabled cardiovascular risk detection using opportunistic CT screening, a systemwide digital pathology program that expands diagnostic capacity and efficiency, and teledermoscopy technology that increases access to early melanoma detection. NYU Langone additionally achieved a global breakthrough in xenotransplantation by sustaining a gene-edited pig kidney transplant for more than four months, the longest such case to date.

OHSU Hospital (Portland). OHSU Hospital, the flagship facility of Oregon Health & Science University, serves as the state’s only public academic health center and its primary site for advanced clinical care, medical education and scientific discovery. As a major quaternary referral center, OHSU provides highly specialized services to patients from Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest, including transplantation, cardiology, oncology, trauma, interventional radiology, obstetrics and ophthalmology. The hospital’s interconnected campus, linking the hospital building with Kohler Pavilion, Hatfield Research Center, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center via sky bridge, enables seamless collaboration across disciplines and patient populations. Ranked the No. 1 hospital in Oregon and No. 1 in Portland by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, OHSU is recognized for its exceptional outcomes and leadership in complex care. With 89% of patients willing to recommend the hospital, OHSU maintains a strong reputation for patient-centered care grounded in compassion, clinical expertise and innovation. As the state’s primary clinical teaching facility, OHSU also prepares the next generation of health professionals while driving breakthroughs that shape the future of medicine. Looking ahead, the hospital and the broader system are working to transform their supply chain strategy, zeroing in on ways to deliver cost savings and implement automation. 

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (Oklahoma City). The state’s flagship  and only comprehensive academic medical center, University of Oklahoma Medical Center has transformed from what was once a safety-net teaching hospital to the state’s leader in complex care and cutting-edge clinical trials. It is home to Oklahoma’s first and most advanced trauma center for adults and children, as well as the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Stephenson Cancer Center, which ranks among U.S. News & World Report‘s top 50 cancer centers, is a research powerhouse. Its phase 1 clinical trials of OK 1, the first such drug developed in Oklahoma, offers hope for patients with advanced gynecologic cancers. It is also among the nation’s groundbreaking programs for sickle cell treatment, and the state’s only comprehensive center for bleeding and clotting disorders in children and adults. As one of the nation’s few academic health centers with seven professional colleges on one campus, encompassing medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, allied health and graduate studies, the OU Health campus annually educates about 4,000 students in over 70 programs. The College of Medicine’s research strength propelled it up 20 places to rank among the top 3.6% of all institutions receiving National Institutes of Health funding. The medical center is located alongside the freestanding Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, which is ranked among U.S. News‘ top 50 best children’s hospitals in multiple categories, including pediatric cardiology/heart surgery and gastroenterology. Together, the two are among a small number offering a lifetime of care in one convenient location.

Ochsner Medical Center–New Orleans. Ochsner Medical Center–New Orleans is a 700-bed academic medical center and the top-ranked hospital in Louisiana for 13 consecutive years according to U.S. News & World Report, recognized for delivering high-acuity, multidisciplinary care across oncology, transplantation, cardiology and pediatrics. The hospital houses the region’s only fully integrated cancer center, the Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center. The center is supported by a robust early-phase clinical trials program that positions Ochsner as the only provider between Houston and Birmingham with phase 1 and early phase 2 capabilities. The Ochsner Transplant Institute is nationally known for exceptional outcomes and volume, having performed more than 8,700 transplants across five organ types and operating Louisiana’s only pediatric heart and living donor liver transplant programs. Cardiovascular care is anchored by the John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute, where specialists deliver tailored diagnostics and advanced interventions informed by close multidisciplinary collaboration. Ochsner Children’s, which is recognized among the nation’s top pediatric hospitals in two specialties, continues to expand its footprint with a new state-of-the-art children’s hospital slated to open in 2028, reinforcing the medical center’s long-term investment in pediatric excellence. The medical center is also one of only 1% of U.S. hospitals to earn Magnet designation five times, highlighting sustained nursing leadership and superior patient outcomes. Recent accomplishments include ELITE status recognition for the kidney transplant program, surpassing 50,000 robot-assisted surgeries across the system with early adoption of the da Vinci 5 platform, as well as participation in a landmark New England Journal of Medicine HIV-to-HIV kidney transplant study validating safety and outcomes for this growing patient population.

Orlando (Fla.) Health. Orlando Health is a private, not-for-profit integrated academic health system with more than 5,450 beds across a rapidly expanding network spanning Florida, Alabama and Puerto Rico. Founded in 1918, the system has grown into a $10 billion organization offering care across more than 105 specialties while maintaining a strong focus on quality, safety and patient-centered care. Orlando Health is internationally recognized for Central Florida’s only pediatric and adult level 1 trauma program, the nation’s largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, and highly advanced fetal, trauma and neuroscience services. The system is also a leader in education and research, supporting more than 355 residents and fellows and pioneering innovations such as rapid blood testing for traumatic brain injury and advanced AI-driven diagnostics. Through strategic acquisitions and new hospital developments, Orlando Health continues to expand access while maintaining strong clinical performance and financial stability. Orlando Health is currently pursuing the integration of clinical engineering and IT, aiming to ensure that bedside technology is not far outpaced by the ever-changing digital landscape. Orlando Regional Medical Center was nationally ranked in two adult and seven children’s specialties by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26. Additionally, it was named among the top five hospitals in Florida and the top two in Orlando, boasting high-performing designations across numerous conditions and procedures. 

Phoenix Children’s. Phoenix Children’s has transformed over the past two decades into one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, spanning more than 50 sites of care, eight centers of excellence, and over 75 pediatric subspecialties supported by 8,000 employees and a rapidly expanding research institute. In response to explosive population growth across Arizona’s West Valley, the system has significantly expanded access through the opening of a new hospital in Glendale, a regional emergency department in Avondale and a state-of-the-art level 4 NICU in Phoenix, with additional hospitals and major campus expansions underway. The organization is nationally recognized for its industry-leading innovation culture, developing AI- and data-driven tools such as “WATCHER,” a clinical deterioration prediction system, multiple condition-specific mobile apps, Amazon-enabled in-room digital engagement solutions, and real-time electronic room signage to enhance safety and the patient experience. Phoenix Children’s operates a fully integrated medical group of more than 1,400 pediatric providers, enabling consistent, high-quality, systemwide care and supporting clinical teams in delivering medical “firsts” for the most complex pediatric conditions. Its research enterprise continues to accelerate discovery, with the Phoenix Children’s Research Institute at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix now overseeing more than 700 active studies, recruiting internationally recognized scientists and translating breakthrough findings into bench-to-bedside treatments. Patients from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries seek care at Phoenix Children’s each year, a testament to its national reputation for excellence across specialty care, innovation and clinical outcomes. Phoenix Children’s is the only children’s hospital in Arizona ever recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top-ranked pediatric health system, an honor it has held for 15 consecutive years.

Presbyterian Hospital (Albuquerque, N.M.). Presbyterian Hospital, the flagship facility of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, is a nonprofit academic health system anchor dedicated to delivering advanced, compassionate care. The hospital offers a wide range of specialized services, including heart, women’s, children’s and neuroscience care, positioning it as a leading destination for high-acuity treatment in New Mexico. Named the best hospital in the state for 2025–26 by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, Presbyterian Hospital is recognized for strong outcomes, specialty excellence and its patient-centered approach. Deeply committed to community health, the hospital strengthens local wellbeing through targeted outreach, health education and volunteer initiatives supported by the Presbyterian Foundation. Foundation programs also fuel clinical excellence by funding staff education, new medical technologies and enhanced patient support resources. The system’s integrated, value-based care model aligns its hospital, clinics and health plan to continuously improve access, coordination and patient experience. For the future, the system and its flagship are looking at AI’s implications on not only care provision, but also the workforce. 

Providence Alaska Medical Center (Anchorage). Providence Alaska Medical Center is the state’s largest hospital and its only nationally recognized adult and pediatric trauma center, providing comprehensive care to communities across Anchorage, Eagle River, Kodiak Island, Mat-Su, Seward and Valdez. As Alaska’s largest private employer with more than 4,000 employees, the hospital continues a 120-year legacy rooted in the Sisters of Providence, whose early work during the Nome Gold Rush established the foundations of modern healthcare in the state. Renton, Wash.-based Providence anchors Alaska’s health system with unmatched tertiary and trauma capabilities, supported by a strategic safety plan that commits to “zero preventable harm” and publicly tracks progress toward that goal. The medical center remains the sole hospital named to U.S. News & World Report‘s 2025–26 “Best Regional Hospitals” list for Alaska, earning recognition as the Anchorage region’s top hospital across 11 areas of care. In 2025, Providence Alaska Medical Center also achieved comprehensive stroke center certification, reinforcing its leadership in high-acuity neurologic care. In spring of 2025, The Providence Cancer Center at Alaska Medical Center became the first hospital in Alaska to offer Pluvicto, a targeted prostate cancer therapy that harms the prostate cancer specific biomarker PSMA+.

Providence St. Patrick Hospital (Missoula, Mont.). St. Patrick Hospital has delivered advanced, compassionate care to Western Montana since 1873, combining modern medical innovation with the mission-driven values of the Sisters of Providence. As a Joint Commission–accredited facility and longtime Magnet-designated hospital, St. Patrick Hospital upholds the highest standards of nursing excellence, patient safety and continuous quality improvement. The medical center offers one of the region’s most comprehensive arrays of specialty services, including neuroscience, orthopedics, cancer care, digestive health, emergency and trauma care. The hospital is supported by an ethics committee that helps guide patients and families through complex care decisions. The hospital also extends its commitment to community wellbeing through education programs such as diabetes prevention, prenatal classes and weight-loss seminars, as well as through the Providence Montana Health Foundation, which funds advanced equipment, capital expansion and essential patient services. St. Patrick Hospital is the only children’s hospital and the most advanced clinical hub in the northern Rocky Mountain region, aiming to expand access to world-class care close to home. The hospital’s longstanding culture of caregiver excellence has earned a wide slate of U.S. News & World Report awards, including recognition as Montana’s best regional hospital and “high performing” ratings in more than a dozen adult procedures and conditions. 

Queen’s Medical Center (Honolulu). Queen’s Medical Center, the flagship hospital of The Queen’s Health Systems, has served Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin for more than 160 years as the state’s leading referral center for cancer, heart disease, neuroscience, orthopedics, surgery, emergency medicine and behavioral health. It is home to Hawai‘i’s only level 1 trauma center and the state’s only organ transplant program, playing an essential role in delivering the highest-acuity care across the islands. Consistently recognized for excellence, the hospital was named the best in Hawai‘i and in Honolulu by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, and continues to expand access to advanced services including women’s health, primary care and specialty care. To address statewide capacity challenges, the medical center implemented a coordinated systemwide patient flow strategy, establishing enterprisewide governance and launching structured multidisciplinary discharge rounds to reduce delays. The organization also deployed a comprehensive capacity management plan with clear surge protocols, standardized bed utilization workflows, and a pilot “virtual” command center that improved real-time communication and coordination. These efforts culminated in the 2024 opening of the 13,000-square-foot Aukahi Command Center, serving the 575-bed level 1 trauma center and an additional community hospital, and providing teams with real-time analytics to support faster, safer clinical decision-making. 

Rady Children’s Hospital (San Diego). Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, the region’s only dedicated pediatric hospital and level 1 pediatric trauma center, provides comprehensive care to more than 280,000 children each year across San Diego, Imperial and southern Riverside counties. The hospital’s nearly 1,000 physicians, 1,500 nurses and 6,000 employees support a full continuum of services, delivering nationally recognized clinical excellence reflected in Magnet designation, repeated pediatric hospital honor roll rankings by U.S. News & World Report, and recognition as a “World’s Best Specialized Hospital” by Newsweek. As the primary pediatric teaching partner of UC San Diego School of Medicine, Rady Children’s trains the next generation of pediatric specialists and maintains more than 890 active research studies, including over 200 clinical trials in partnership with globally renowned research institutions. Its high-acuity programs demonstrate leading outcomes and scale, including more than 22,000 annual surgeries, 352 heart surgeries, 63 heart transplants to date, 249 new cancer diagnoses treated annually and more than 10,000 oncology outpatient visits. In 2025, the hospital advanced digital innovation by expanding a virtual nursing program using care.ai technology across emergency, neuroscience and multispecialty units to strengthen patient experience, improve workflow efficiency and enhance team-based care. Rady Children’s also deepened community and national collaboration, highlighted by Alaska Airlines’ donation of two million miles to expand clinical knowledge exchange and accelerate pediatric innovation. 

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and The Bristol-Myers-Squibb Children’s Hospital (New Brunswick, N.J.). Together, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital form the state’s largest academic medical center and the flagship of West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health. Through its partnership with Rutgers University and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the medical center integrates advanced patient care, research and medical education at the highest level. The 628-bed campus delivers comprehensive quaternary and tertiary services, including cardiovascular care, organ transplantation, neuroscience, orthopedics, women’s health, pediatrics and complex cancer care. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is one of only three level 1 trauma centers in New Jersey and the state’s first designated pediatric trauma center, serving as a critical regional and national resource. The Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center anchors New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. In addition, The Bristol-Myers-Squibb Children’s Hospital is nationally ranked for pediatric specialty care and offers advanced services such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in its NICU and PICU. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital has earned six consecutive Magnet designations for nursing excellence and numerous Joint Commission certifications. Consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek, the academic medical center combines academic leadership, innovation and community-focused care to serve New Jersey and the greater region.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo, N.Y.). From center of excellence programs in minimally invasive surgery to the most targeted, personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient, Roswell Park stands out for the experience, expertise and compassion of its team. Currently rated “exceptional” by the National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park has been a model for other hospitals, one of the only three cancer centers specially designated as part of the “War on Cancer” in the 1970s. Roswell Park innovators have contributed numerous major advances, including establishing the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy, identifying cancer biomarkers, developing the prostate-specific antigen test, developing cancer regimens that became mainstay treatments, showing a link between smoking and cancer, maintaining one of the first cancer outreach and community engagement programs, and building a pioneering resource on Indigenous health. Pioneering advances continue today with molecular diagnostics tools available only at Roswell Park, a novel immunotherapy helping brain cancer patients beat the odds, superior clinical outcomes for gastro-esophageal cancers, and groundbreaking work to make transplant and cellular therapy work for more patients. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York.

Rush University Medical Center (Chicago). Rush University Medical Center, a perennial U.S. News & World Report honor roll institution, is nationally ranked in 11 specialties, including top-five recognition in neurology and neurosurgery and top-10 performance in geriatrics. As a leader in quality, the medical center ranked No. 6 nationally in Vizient’s 2025 quality and accountability study, and has maintained a top-10 position for 13 consecutive years thanks to its sustained excellence in clinical outcomes and operational performance. The medical center also holds 11 consecutive “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group and a 5-star rating from CMS, reflecting its deep commitment to patient safety and evidence-based care. As an academic powerhouse, Rush University’s nursing college holds six programs ranked in the nation’s top five, complemented by strong rankings across its College of Health Sciences and national recognition for Rush Medical College’s research enterprise. The medical center is widely regarded for its community impact, partnering with residents, nonprofits and fellow institutions to dismantle barriers to health and advance equity across Chicago’s West Side. The medical center is part of the broader Rush Health system, which recently entered into a partnership with MinuteClinic to enhance accessibility to primary care across the region.

Sanford Medical Center Fargo (N.D.). Sanford Medical Center Fargo is a 764-bed regional referral center and North Dakota’s largest and busiest hospital, serving as the state’s only level 1 adult trauma center and a level 2 pediatric trauma center supported by the three-state Sanford AirMed transport network. The hospital delivers leading specialty care across stroke, orthopedics, cardiovascular medicine and transplantation, including designation as an advanced comprehensive stroke center and the state’s only orthopedic program with Joint Commission “Gold Seal” certifications in four major procedures. The medical center has a strong track record of clinical innovation, bringing multiple first-in-state procedures to North Dakota and establishing the region’s only blood and bone marrow transplant program in 2021, which has significantly expanded access to advanced cancer care across the upper Midwest. Its commitment to quality and safety is reflected in a CMS 4-star rating, Magnet designation in 2025, Vizient’s “Rising Star Award” in 2023, and national recognition for cardiovascular excellence, antimicrobial stewardship, pancreatic care and orthopedic quality. The hospital advances equitable and age-friendly care through targeted health equity initiatives and Institute for Healthcare Improvement “Age-Friendly Health System” designation, while also training future clinicians through internships and 13 residency and fellowship programs. Recent innovations include first-time Magnet recognition with five exemplars, an expanding robotic surgery program enhanced by adoption of the da Vinci 5 system, and growing leadership in cardiovascular care following recognition as one of Premier’s “50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals”. The medical center drives research and innovation through dedicated testing environments, orthobiologic therapies and national destination programs such as pediatric feeding disorder care, reinforcing its role as a top provider of advanced, equitable care for the region.

Sanford USD Medical Center (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Sanford USD Medical Center, the largest hospital in South Dakota and the flagship teaching site for the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, provides leading-edge care to patients from across the Midwest. With 545 beds and 4,000 employees, the medical center delivers comprehensive, high-acuity care across a full range of advanced services, including neonatal and pediatric intensive care, transplant programs, emergency air transport and specialty centers in heart, cancer, neuroscience, sports medicine and women’s health. It is the only level 1 adult and level 2 pediatric trauma center in the state verified by the American College of Surgeons, ensuring the highest level of response when seconds matter. Sanford USD Medical Center earned national distinction as No. 54 in the nation by Newsweek for 2025 and holds five consecutive Magnet designations, reflecting sustained excellence in nursing and patient outcomes. The hospital’s clinical breadth includes robotic surgery, total joint replacement, low-intervention birth services, palliative care, wound care and advanced orthopedic trauma care. It also participates in the federal “Increasing Organ Transplant Access” model, helping expand lifesaving transplant services. For 2025–26, U.S. News & World Report named Sanford USD Medical Center the No. 1 hospital in South Dakota.

Sarasota (Fla.) Memorial Hospital. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is an 897-bed public, nonprofit health system founded in 1925 and governed by a publicly elected hospital board to ensure community-focused, high-quality care. Anchored by its flagship Sarasota campus, the system has grown into multiple hospitals, specialized institutes and a broad network of outpatient, urgent care and emergency facilities serving nearly 2 million patient visits annually. In response to rapid regional growth and community need, the system has doubled the size of its Venice campus, is expanding its nationally recognized Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, and is developing a third acute-care hospital in North Port scheduled to open in 2028. The system is also investing heavily in innovation, including a $160 million Epic EHR transformation and advanced clinical technologies such as AI-driven surgical planning, Apple Vision Pro-assisted procedures, and minimally invasive cardiac and urologic therapies. System physicians are national leaders in cardiovascular care, earning global recognition for their “WATCHMAN” program, advanced valve repair techniques and early lung cancer detection that doubles national early-stage diagnosis rates. With more than 140 active clinical research studies, the system brings cutting-edge treatments and trials to local patients, including novel therapies for hard-to-treat cancers. The hospital has earned Medicare’s highest 5-star quality rating for 10 straight years and was recognized with The Leapfrog Group’s “Straight A” designation.

Seattle Children’s Hospital. Seattle Children’s serves the largest geographic region of any pediatric academic medical center in the country, providing comprehensive, family-centered care for patients across Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. For more than 30 years, the hospital has been consistently ranked among the nation’s top 10 children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. The medical center offers 60 pediatric subspecialties and a century-long commitment to meeting the unique needs of children from infancy through young adulthood. Its research enterprise, spanning Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, drives internationally recognized discovery in oncology, genetics, neuroscience, immunology, infectious disease and bioethics, pursuing cures for more than 200 childhood diseases. Seattle Children’s has also embedded health equity throughout its strategic plan, strengthening language-concordant care, diversifying research participation, and enhancing workforce accountability to remove barriers and improve patient outcomes. The organization formalized a strategic affiliation with Kirkland, Wash.-based EvergreenHealth to expand access to advanced neonatal and pediatric specialty care across rapidly growing communities on Seattle’s Eastside. The hospital is also advancing digital innovation, planning enterprisewide adoption of Abridge ambient listening technology after a successful pilot that reduced clinician documentation burden by 79% and supported 72% of eligible encounters. 

St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood-Covington (Ky.) Hospitals. St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood–Covington Hospitals, are leading regional providers serving Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and Greater Cincinnati. The hospitals are recognized for exceptional performance, earning “high performing” ratings in 20 adult procedures and conditions. Ranked No. 1 in Kentucky and No. 2 in the Cincinnati metro area by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, the hospitals consistently deliver high-quality general medical and surgical care supported by strong patient satisfaction, with 90% of patients willing to recommend to others. As part of the broader St. Elizabeth Healthcare system, the Edgewood and Covington campuses uphold a Catholic mission rooted in caring for the whole person, spanning mind, body and spirit. Their clinical excellence is strengthened by organizational values that emphasize innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and uncompromising service to the community. The system’s deep local roots mean that patients are cared for by clinicians who view them as family, reinforcing a culture of trust, fairness and inclusivity. St. Elizabeth’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures that patients receive evidence-based care across a full spectrum of specialties, supported by strong partnerships between hospital teams and St. Elizabeth Physicians. 

St. Francis Hospital-Tulsa (Okla.). Saint Francis Hospital is a 1,112-bed tertiary care center and the flagship of Saint Francis Health System, recognized as Tulsa’s premier hospital for its comprehensive, high-acuity clinical services. The hospital delivers an exceptionally broad range of advanced programs, including cancer care, neurosciences, neonatology, orthopedics, interventional pulmonology, robotic surgery and histotripsy. The programs are supported by leading specialists across more than 20 disciplines. U.S. News & World Report ranks Saint Francis No. 1 in Oklahoma, No. 1 in Tulsa, and “high performing” in 19 adult procedures and conditions, reflecting its superior outcomes and consistent excellence. As the region’s dominant referral center, Saint Francis provides sophisticated diagnostics, complex surgery and advanced inpatient care unmatched elsewhere in Northeastern Oklahoma. The hospital’s integrated approach ensures seamless transitions across emergency care, inpatient services, specialty programs and rehabilitation, keeping patients at the center of every decision. Its investments in cutting-edge technologies, such as robotic surgery and innovative noninvasive therapies, demonstrate a continual commitment to innovation and clinical advancement.

St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center (Idaho). For more than 120 years, St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center has served as the region’s leading healthcare provider, delivering nationally recognized, high-quality care to a rapidly growing population. As a Magnet-designated hospital, it upholds the highest standards in nursing excellence and patient safety. The medical center offers a comprehensive range of services, including a full-service emergency department, advanced inpatient and outpatient surgery, state-of-the-art cancer treatment, critical care, and extensive diagnostic capabilities spanning X-ray to MRI. The campus is also home to numerous primary and specialty clinics as well as St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, the only dedicated children’s hospital in Idaho. Its integrated approach ensures seamless care across specialties and strengthens access to pediatric, maternal, surgical and complex care services for communities throughout the state. U.S. News & World Report named St. Luke’s Boise the top regional hospital in Idaho for 2025–26, reflecting its long-standing commitment to clinical excellence. Recently, the broader St. Luke’s health system has been investing in ambient AI, increasing patient-clinician face time, reducing burnout and generating cost savings. 

Stanford Health Care (Palo Alto, Calif.). A premier academic medical center advancing excellence in patient care, research and education, Stanford Health Care is part of the Stanford Medicine health system, which includes Stanford School of Medicine. Together, they support a unified mission of caring for patients, training future physicians and scientists, and translating discovery into clinical practice. Care is delivered to thousands of patients each year while innovation continues across numerous specialties, including cancer care, neurosciences and cardiovascular medicine. Its history of medical breakthroughs include the world’s first medical linear accelerator for cancer treatment, the world’s first successful combined heart/lung transplant, American’s first successful adult human heart transplant, the creation of the Cyberknife to treat brain and spinal tumors, the first successful use of monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer, and research that led to the first cochlear implants to treat hearing loss, among others. In 2024, Stanford Health Care achieved another national milestone by delivering the first FDA-approved tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte cell therapy for a solid tumor, demonstrating leadership in precision medicine and translational research. Innovation is further accelerated through Stanford Medicine’s Catalyst program, which supports clinicians and researchers in developing and scaling high-impact health technologies. Committed to quality and outcomes, the medical center achieved Vizient’s 5-star performance for inpatient care, strong results in ambulatory care, and distinction for environmental sustainability.

Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Hospital. Stony Brook University Hospital is a 624-bed academic medical center and the only tertiary care hospital on Long Island, serving as a critical referral hub for millions of New Yorkers. In 2024, the hospital was recognized for environmental sustainability excellence by Vizient. That same year, the hospital’s emergency department received the Emergency Nurses Association’s “Lantern Award.” In 2025, the hospital earned level 1 geriatric emergency department accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians, and The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recognized the respiratory and medical intensive cardiac rehabilitation with a “Gold Beacon Award of Excellence” and the medical intensive care unit with the “Silver Beacon Award of Excellence”. The hospital also achieved a 4-star CMS rating, recognition for several specialties by Healthgrades, and more. The hospital expanded access through its new 170,000-square-foot advanced specialty care facility and enhanced virtual care services, including tele-stroke and neonatal consultations. Clinically, Stony Brook has emerged as a national leader in neurology, pioneering minimally invasive treatments for chronic subdural hematoma and introducing innovative therapies for treatment-resistant migraines, both supported by landmark research published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Ranked among the top 10 hospitals in New York for 2025–26 by U.S. News & World Report, Stony Brook University Hospital exemplifies how academic medicine, workforce development and patient-centered innovation translate into measurable impact and safer, more effective care.

Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital. Tampa General Hospital is the Tampa Bay region’s only university-affiliated academic health system and a nationally recognized flagship academic medical center licensed for 981 beds, anchoring a system of 1,529 licensed beds across seven hospitals. Affiliated with the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa General trains more than 700 residents and has been consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s best in several specialties. The hospital also earned recognition as No. 1 in Tampa Bay for 10 years in a row. The medical center is a level 1 trauma center and the region’s safety-net hospital, providing highly complex care while ensuring access for all patients regardless of circumstance. Tampa General is ranked No. 1 in the United States for transplant volume by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, based on volume in 2024. The system is also a driving force behind the Tampa Medical & Research District, a transformative ecosystem expected to generate more than $8.3 billion in annual economic impact and nearly 58,000 jobs for Florida. Tampa General is a leader in innovation, leveraging AI for care coordination, hospital-at-home services and operational excellence while advancing behavioral health education through one of Florida’s only certified behavioral health teaching hospitals. 

Texas Children’s Hospital (Houston). Texas Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive pediatric and women’s health systems, providing nearly 4.9 million patient encounters and 7,000 births each year across more than 40 subspecialties. As the academic partner and principal teaching site for Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s is a global leader in pediatric education, training and innovation. With more than $179 million in annual external research funding, 800,000-plus square feet of laboratory space, 85 newly discovered disease genes and over 431 active clinical trials, Texas Children’s drives breakthrough discoveries that shape the future of pediatric medicine. Its research enterprise is at the forefront of addressing neurological diseases, rare disorders and other high-impact conditions, where a single diagnosis can change outcomes for countless children. In 2025, the hospital announced a landmark collaboration with Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center, fueled by a $150 million Kinder Foundation gift, to create the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center and accelerate a unified mission to end childhood cancer by 2026. The hospital consistently ranks among the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting its exceptional depth in clinical care, research and complex specialty services.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia). Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is a 926-bed academic medical center and the flagship hospital of Jefferson Health, a 32-hospital system serving diverse communities across the region. Founded in 1824, the hospital combines a long legacy of compassionate care with advanced innovation, making it one of the largest and most influential hospitals in Pennsylvania. The hospital is home to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, an National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center recognized among the nation’s top performers for cancer care and clinical trials. The hospital also operates a level 1 trauma center that serves as a critical regional resource for complex trauma, supported by specialized services including advanced orthopedic trauma, neurosurgery and the Drucker Brain Injury Center. Nationally, the hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six adult specialties and is designated “high performing” across numerous procedures and conditions. Additionally, it was named the No. 2 hospital in Philadelphia and No. 3 in the state. The hospital is consistently recognized for excellence in nursing through its long-standing Magnet designation and for physician leadership across multiple specialties. Through major investments in oncology, trauma services, and modern outpatient and emergency care facilities, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is advancing high-quality, equitable care for Philadelphia and beyond.

UAB Hospital (Birmingham, Ala.). UAB Hospital is a 1,207-bed academic medical center and the top-ranked hospital in Alabama for 12 consecutive years. The hospital delivers high-acuity care through nationally ranked programs in cardiology, neurology, rehabilitation, surgery and women’s health, supported by advanced capabilities such as an advanced primary heart attack center that has cut door-to-procedure times in half and a streamlined stroke launchpad enabling clot-busting treatment in under 45 minutes. As one of the country’s most active transplant centers, UAB performs more than 400 organ transplants annually and continues to expand access through telehealth and regional clinics while advancing complex procedures, including transplants across blood types and HIV-positive donor protocols. UAB’s structural heart and valve program, Alabama’s oldest and largest, offers minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches. The hospital also operates the nation’s highest-volume robotic surgery program, performing roughly 3,500 procedures annually using 16 advanced robotic systems. UAB leads in emergency medicine with the nation’s first level 1 accredited emergency department and the region’s only level 1 geriatric emergency department. Recent innovations include a systemwide transition to Epic to unify patient records, expanded access through the acquisition of Ascension St. Vincent’s, and major facility investments such as the new UAB Medical West campus, the Cooper Green outpatient clinic, and an ED expansion adding 59 exam rooms and enhanced imaging. Opening soon, the UAB Rehabilitation Pavilion will anchor advanced neuro-rehabilitation for stroke, spinal cord injury and epilepsy.

UC Davis Medical Center (Sacramento, Calif.). UC Davis Medical Center is a 656-bed academic health system recognized as Sacramento’s top hospital for 14 consecutive years and consistently ranked among the top 10 in California by U.S. News & World Report. As the region’s only combined level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center, the medical center manages more than one million patient visits annually, supported by a cardiovascular program staffed with 39 cardiology specialists, five cardiac surgeons and eight vascular surgeons. UC Davis is nationally distinguished for transformative innovations, including the first-ever stem cell therapy for spina bifida delivered during fetal surgery, BrainGate speech-decoding brain–computer interface trials, and early adoption of gene therapies for rare diseases. Recent advances also include FDA-approved pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s testing, augmented-reality–guided surgery, pioneering thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis procedures for complex aortic aneurysms, and home-based hypertension monitoring programs. The medical center’s research enterprise drives breakthroughs across cancer biology, autism science, arrhythmia modeling, immunology and cardiovascular health, supported by National Institutes of Health-funded centers such as the National Cancer Institute-designated UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and the internationally renowned MIND Institute. UC Davis Medical Center has earned numerous honors, including Magnet designation, Baby-Friendly Hospital status, Newsweek‘s rankings for best maternity and best children’s hospitals, and elite designations in epilepsy, obstetric anesthesia and autism research. 

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (Aurora). UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, the region’s only academic medical center and the clinical home of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is a statewide leader in bringing groundbreaking treatments from research to the bedside. For the 14th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked the hospital as No. 1 in Colorado, with national recognition in pulmonology and lung surgery in a tie with Denver-based National Jewish Health, cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, and obstetrics and gynecology, along with high performance in numerous complex procedures. With offerings spanning primary care through highly specialized subspecialty programs, the hospital delivers the full continuum of care supported by leading physician-scientists whose work advances clinical innovation across the region. The hospital’s central presence on the Anschutz Medical Campus, combined with specialty centers such as the Anschutz Cancer Pavilion and Sue Anschutz-Rogers Eye Center, ensures patients benefit from cutting-edge therapies, multidisciplinary expertise and access to clinical trials. The broader UCHealth system also plays a critical role in preserving healthcare access statewide, strengthening partnerships with rural communities to expand reach while maintaining exceptional patient outcomes. A recent AI-enabled transformation of patient flow and capacity management allowed the system to care for more than 1,700 additional patients without adding beds or staff. 

UCI Medical Center (Orange, Calif.). UCI Health is the only academic health system in Orange County, serving Orange and parts of Los Angeles counties with advanced, research-driven care for a diverse population. The system has expanded significantly with the creation of the UCI Health Community Network in 2024, following the acquisition of four community hospitals and their affiliated physicians and outpatient sites. UCI Medical Center, the flagship hospital, is nationally recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 academic medical centers for quality by Vizient and holds a CMS 4-star patient experience rating. It is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, the county’s only level 1 trauma center, and numerous regional “onlys,” including a burn center, a high-risk perinatal program and an adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant program. UCI Health leads more than 400 clinical trials, more than any other in the region, giving patients early access to innovative therapies supported by UC Irvine’s world-class research enterprise. In 2024, UCI Health opened the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in Irvine, and just opened a first-of-its-kind, all-electric acute care hospital in December 2025, setting a national benchmark for sustainability in healthcare. UCI Health boasts nationally adopted infection-prevention innovations, expanding in-home and telehealth services, and consistent safety and quality recognition.

UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles). Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, a beacon of medical excellence since 1955, is a nationally renowned academic hospital featuring a 10-story, patient-centered facility that integrates healing design with advanced clinical environments. As a level 1 trauma center with 520 inpatient beds, the medical center houses specialized floors dedicated to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, with every patient room engineered to convert into an ICU for seamless critical care. Part of the broader UCLA Health, the medical center has been ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years, supported by award-winning performance in trauma, clinical quality and nursing excellence. A pioneer in cutting-edge medical technology, the hospital features fully integrated, paperless operating environments with voice-activated surgical controls, advanced imaging and enhanced-vision green lighting. As a research powerhouse, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center provides patients access to innovative therapies, clinical trials and treatments not available elsewhere through its deep integration with the David Geffen School of Medicine. Recent expansion efforts include a $20 million gift from the Steven C. Gordon Family Foundation to create the Laurie and Steven C. Gordon Pavilion, adding 103 critical and acute care beds and increasing inpatient capacity by 23%. UCLA Health has additional plans to expand psychiatric care to 139 beds at a new mental health campus opening in 2026.

UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco). UCSF Medical Center, which spans the Parnassus, Mount Zion and Mission Bay campuses, is one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, rooted in a history that began in 1864 and evolved into California’s top-ranked hospital in U.S. News & World Report‘s 2025–26 honor roll. As a 600-bed tertiary and quaternary referral center, the medical center delivers highly specialized care through dedicated services in cardiology, transplant, oncology, women’s health and more, supported entirely by full-time UCSF faculty rather than private practice models. Its Mission Bay campus is a powerhouse of pediatric, women’s and cancer care, uniquely integrated with one of the world’s most dynamic biotechnology hubs to accelerate translational research. UCSF’s Mount Zion campus complements this work with leading ambulatory care programs, including the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and a women’s health center of excellence. As one of the most research-intensive medical centers in the world, it merges scientific discovery with clinical care through specialty consulting services, robust hospitalist–subspecialist co-management models and longstanding partnerships with institutions such as Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Nationally ranked in 13 adult specialties, the medical center sets benchmarks in neuroscience, cancer, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, orthopedics, psychiatry and more. 

UHealth (Miami). University of Miami Health System’s flagship hospital delivers leading-edge patient care. South Florida’s only academic medical center is powered by the groundbreaking research of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Offering expertise in more than 100 medical specialties, UHealth is home to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, U.S. News & World Report‘s No. 1 ranked ophthalmology hospital, a highly ranked “America’s Best Hospitals” leader in neurology/neurosurgery, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and one of the 50 top hospitals for cancer. Programs in urology, geriatrics and cardiovascular medicine are also nationally recognized. UHealth recently opened the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building, a stunning 12-story, 244,000-square-foot facility with space for patient care and research, advancing discoveries that improve outcomes for patients statewide and beyond. To increase services outside the hospital walls, UHealth SoLé Mia, an AI-powered 370,000-square-foot ambulatory care facility, provides multiple outpatient programs. UHealth is a 2025 “Ambulatory Quality and Accountability Top Performer” by Vizient and received the “Beacon Award for Excellence” in critical care nursing, as well as prestigious Magnet with Distinction nursing recognition status. Among its more than 170 AI initiatives, UHealth uses AI to examine electrocardiogram data to assess heart attack and coronary artery disease risk, monitor colonoscopy intervals, interpret mammograms and identify lung segments from CT scans.

UVA Health University Medical Center (Charlottesville, Va.). UVA Health University Medical Center is a 696-bed academic medical center serving as the region’s level 1 trauma center and a destination for highly complex and specialized care. It is home to Virginia’s first National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, the state’s only comprehensive transplant center for adults and children, and the No. 1 children’s hospital in Virginia, with national rankings in nine pediatric specialties per U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26. The medical center is also nationally recognized for adult care, earning high-performing ratings in four adult specialties and 15 procedures and conditions. It ranks No. 5 statewide for adults and No.1 in the state for children. UVA Health University Medical Center has been named No. 1 in Virginia by Newsweek for 2025, and is nationally ranked among the best specialized hospitals for orthopedics, neurology, cardiology and cancer care. The medical center also earned a 4-star CMS rating. Its academic strength is reflected in a graduate medical education program that has been continuously re-accredited for more than a decade with no cited areas for improvement. Recent innovations include the launch of a mobile primary care unit to expand access, new outpatient infusion capacity, extended orthopedic injury clinic hours and plans for a highly automated centralized pharmacy services center. 

UW Health University of Wisconsin Hospitals (Madison). University of Wisconsin Hospitals, including University Hospital and East Madison Hospital, provide 588 beds of integrated academic medical care and have been ranked the No. 1 hospital in Wisconsin for 14 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. The system delivers nationally recognized expertise across eight specialties ranked among the best in the country, and holds “high performing” ratings in 18 procedures and conditions affecting adults. As home to Wisconsin’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and one of the region’s leading level 1 pediatric trauma programs, UW Health manages some of the most complex cases in the Midwest while driving innovation through cutting-edge clinical trials and academic medicine. Its subspecialty strength spans ear nose and throat, gastrointestinal surgery, geriatrics, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology, with additional excellence in cardiology, neurology and cancer care. The system has garnered widespread recognition, including top-in-state rankings from Newsweek, Women’s Choice Awards distinctions for multiple service lines, and national acclaim for its lung transplant program. Recent advancements include Acute Stroke Ready certification for East Madison Hospital, the opening of the largest U.S. medical facility completed in 2024, leadership of a national healthcare AI roundtable, and precision oncology breakthroughs enabling transformative outcomes for patients with advanced lung cancer. Research leadership remains strong through pioneering work in human eye transplantation, Alzheimer’s imaging, opioid-prescribing optimization, neuromodulation-assisted brain procedures and novel immunotherapy for Sjögren’s-related dry mouth. UW Health is also expanding access through new clinics, pediatric critical care expansion, AI-enabled clinical tools, partnerships such as the Forward Pediatric Alliance, and statewide initiatives supporting maternal mental health and community safety.

University of Chicago Medical Center. The University of Chicago Medical Center is an 811-bed academic medical center and the flagship hospital of UChicago Medicine, serving patients across Chicago, its suburbs and Northwest Indiana. As part of the University of Chicago, the medical center integrates patient care, research and education through close collaboration with the Pritzker School of Medicine and the biological sciences division. In fiscal year 2024, the hospital supported more than 1 million ambulatory visits, nearly 35,000 admissions and over 103,000 emergency department visits, reflecting its role as a major regional referral center. The organization is nationally recognized for safety and quality, earning its 28th consecutive “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group and being named a “Top Teaching Hospital” for the eighth time. U.S. News & World Report ranked 10 adult specialties among the best in the nation for 2025–26, and named the medical center No. 3 in both Chicago and the state of Illinois. Research is a cornerstone of the medical center’s mission, supported by $276 million in National Institutes of Health funding and a legacy that includes 12 affiliated Nobel Prize winners.

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is a 1,147-bed quaternary care academic medical center and the flagship hospital of University Hospitals. Affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and multiple international academic partners, it anchors one of the nation’s most robust clinical, research and education enterprises. UH Cleveland Medical Center is home to UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital and UH Seidman Cancer Center, the only freestanding cancer hospital in Northeast Ohio and part of the National Cancer Institutes-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center rated “exceptional.” The medical center is one of the highest-volume level 1 trauma centers in the region and houses Northeast Ohio’s only level 1 pediatric trauma center. Nationally recognized for research excellence, UH supports more than 3,400 active clinical trials and research studies with more than $214 million in research funding. The hospital has been among the top hospitals for various specialties for 27 consecutive years, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, nationally ranking at No. 48 for cancer care. The hospital has also earned Magnet recognition for nursing excellence five consecutive times. UH Cleveland Medical Center is also advancing innovation through AI-enabled radiology, precision cancer care, limb preservation and large-scale clinical research.

University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center (Iowa City). University of Iowa Health Care is a 1,092-bed academic health system and its flagship is Iowa’s top-ranked hospital, nationally recognized for excellence in adult and pediatric care. Its medical centers deliver high-volume, high-acuity services, including 34,000 acute inpatient admissions, 1.3 million clinic visits and 38,000 major surgeries annually. Meanwhile, Stead Family Children’s Hospital remains the state’s only nationally ranked pediatric hospital. UI Health Care has a long history of transformative medical breakthroughs, from pioneering cystic fibrosis gene therapy to identifying the gene responsible for glaucoma, and it continues to advance discovery through nationally ranked programs in ophthalmology, ear nose and throat, and cancer care. The system is a five-time Magnet-designated organization and home to Iowa’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, with outreach efforts extending specialty care and continuing medical education to providers across all 99 counties. In the past few years, UI Health Care has expanded into a statewide system with new campuses in downtown Iowa City and North Liberty, improving access to emergency and orthopedic services. Partnerships such as its cancer care network with Mission Cancer + Blood and more than $417 million in annual community benefit programs reinforce its commitment to keeping care close to home, especially for rural communities. Recent achievements include major research honors such as the “Gairdner International Award” and the National Academy of Sciences’ election of UI scientists, as well as clinical innovations like the Midwest’s first use of SAINT therapy for severe depression.

University of Kansas Hospital (Kansas City). U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks The University of Kansas Hospital as the No. 1 hospital in Kansas and Kansas City, the only hospital to earn this distinction every year since the rankings began. The University of Kansas Health System is a world-class academic medical center and the region’s leading destination for complex care, offering patients access to cutting-edge treatments shaped by nationally recognized research and education. As physicians who also serve as scientists and educators, its clinicians continually advance medical knowledge, translating major breakthroughs into life-changing therapies delivered in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. The health system’s mission, vision and core values of excellence, compassion, diversity, innovation, integrity and evidence-based decision-making guide every decision, ensuring patients receive the highest quality care and service. Demonstrating its commitment to bringing the most advanced capabilities to Kansas, the organization has built the state’s first proton therapy center, expanding access to one of the world’s most precise forms of radiation treatment. It is also the only hospital in the region with medical and surgical specialties ranked among the nation’s top 50, with seven programs earning national recognition. 

University of Michigan Health (Ann Arbor). University of Michigan Health, the clinical arm of Michigan Medicine, is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, ranked the No. 1 hospital in Michigan and among the top 10 in the nation in three specialties by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–26. It is nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties and part of the prestigious honor roll list. In addition, it is ranked the top hospital in the state for pediatrics, with national rankings in 10 children’s specialties. With more than 1,043 licensed beds, U-M Health provides advanced, high-acuity care to patients from every Michigan county and beyond, supported by nationally recognized excellence in pediatric specialties, Magnet-designated nursing and strong CMS quality ratings. The system delivers more than $737 million in annual community benefit, including charity care, unreimbursed services, research, outreach and training programs that strengthen health across the state. As part of one of the country’s top medical schools, U-M Health trains thousands of medical, nursing and health sciences learners each year, with nearly 6,000 alumni now practicing in Michigan communities. U-M’s integrated model of patient care, research and education fosters innovation across complex specialties such as cardiovascular medicine, neurology, oncology and otolaryngology. In November 2025, the system opened the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, a $920 million, 12-story hospital featuring 264 private rooms, 20 operating rooms and advanced radiology suites, greatly expanding its capacity for high-acuity specialty services.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston). The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a 756-bed global leader dedicated exclusively to cancer care, research, education and prevention. Serving more than 187,000 patients in fiscal year 2024, MD Anderson’s 27,000 employees, including nearly 1,900 faculty and 5,300 registered nurses, are united in a singular mission to end cancer. The institution is home to the world’s largest cancer clinical trials program, enrolling more than 10,000 participants across 1,556 trials that rapidly translate laboratory discoveries into patient care. In 2025–26, MD Anderson was again ranked the No. 1 hospital in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report, marking its 11th consecutive year at the top and reaffirming decades of sustained excellence. The center also earned national rankings in subspecialties such as ear, nose and throat, urology, and gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, along with high-performing ratings in multiple complex cancer procedures. Recent transformative initiatives include a joint venture with Houston-based Texas Children’s Hospital to end childhood cancer and the launch of the Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation to advance next-generation cell therapies. With more than 80 years of leadership, six consecutive Magnet nursing designations, including Magnet with distinction, and top global recognition from Vizient and Newsweek, MD Anderson sets the worldwide standard for cancer care.

University of Utah Hospital (Salt Lake City). University of Utah Hospital is the flagship of University of Utah Health, an extensive academic health system that has grown since 1965 to include five hospitals, 11 neighborhood health centers, more than 1,000 board-certified physicians and over 8,000 staff members. As the only academic medical center in Utah and the Mountain West, the system serves patients across Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, western Colorado and much of Nevada. The hospital provides the full spectrum of care, from routine outpatient services to complex trauma and specialty care, while also training the majority of the region’s physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals. Closely integrated with the University of Utah’s internationally regarded schools of medicine and dentistry and colleges of nursing, pharmacy and health, the system is recognized as a national leader in academic medicine and research. University of Utah Health is known for translating innovation into practice, with advances ranging from disease prevention and mental health improvement to robotics and treatments for complex conditions. The hospital has strengthened its innovation strategy with the recent addition of an inaugural chief innovation officer to unify systemwide efforts. For the 12th consecutive year in 2025–26, University of Utah Hospital was ranked No. 1 in Utah and the Salt Lake City metro area by U.S. News & World Report. 

University of Vermont Medical Center (Burlington). University of Vermont Medical Center is a 499-bed tertiary care regional referral center and level 1 trauma center, serving more than a million residents across Vermont and northern New York. As the academic medical center for the region, it is home to the University of Vermont Cancer Center and University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, delivering advanced, high-acuity care while also functioning as a trusted community hospital. Closely partnered with the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Vermont, the medical center integrates education, research and clinical care at the bedside. UVM Medical Center is a leader in rural academic medicine, bringing innovative treatments and clinical trials to patients who otherwise would need to travel far for specialty care. The organization has a long history of clinical innovation, including early testing of transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures and the 2019 opening of the Miller Building with single-occupancy patient rooms. Through its Community Health Investment Fund, the medical center invests more than $1 million annually to address priority health needs and improve access, affordability and outcomes. Looking ahead, the UVM Health system is strengthening care delivery by streamlining workflows and investing in technology and AI, ensuring patients remain at the center of care despite ongoing financial pressures. UVM Medical Center is regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 1 in Vermont for 2025-26.

University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle). University of Washington Medical Center is a 910-bed academic medical center and one of the world’s leading institutions for specialized inpatient, outpatient and emergency care. It has been ranked No. 2 hospital in Washington state and No. 2 in Seattle by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26. As part of UW Medicine, the medical center serves as a regional and national referral hub, providing advanced care in areas such as solid organ transplantation, cancer care in partnership with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, cardiac care, stroke, multiple sclerosis, robotics-assisted surgery and level 4 neonatal intensive care. In fiscal year 2024, UW Medical Center recorded more than 30,000 admissions, 820,000 clinic visits and 72,000 emergency department visits, while delivering $387 million in uncompensated care to patients in need. The hospital is globally recognized for nursing leadership as the first hospital in the world to earn Magnet designation and continues to set standards for workforce excellence. UW Medical Center is also a national leader in research and innovation, having contributed to a Nature Biomedical Engineering–published study identifying a new way to monitor the brain’s glymphatic system, with implications for preventing Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. UW Medical Center blends cutting-edge research, top-ranked clinical programs, academic training and a deep commitment to equitable access.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, Tenn.). Vanderbilt University Medical Center is the largest comprehensive academic health system in the Mid-South. According to U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26, the medical center is the top hospital in Nashville and in the state as a whole. Additionally, the medical center is ranked as the best pediatric hospital in the state and in the Southeast. The medical center delivers care through seven hospitals, more than 1,700 licensed beds and over 180 ambulatory locations, supporting more than 3.2 million patient visits annually. It also operates one of the busiest critical care centers in the region and is Middle Tennessee’s only level 1 trauma and burn center for both adults and children, as well as the region’s only level 4 NICU. As a global leader in research, Vanderbilt receives more than $1 billion annually in research funding and ranked the fifth-largest recipient of National Institutes of Health funding in the nation for fiscal year 2024. The medical center is also a major economic engine, contributing $22.13 billion to the regional economy, generating 120,000 jobs, and providing over $1 billion in community benefit and investment each year. With major expansions underway, including the Jim Ayers Tower, the medical center continues to expand advanced heart, lung, transplant, neuroscience and surgical care for the region while advancing education, discovery and patient-centered excellence. Newsweek recognized the medical center as No. 21 in the nation for 2025.

Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle). Virginia Mason Medical Center is a 336-bed academic medical center and one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier health care institutions, consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades and Leapfrog, earning 26 consecutive “A” grades. The hospital delivers nationally renowned care across oncology, cardiology, digestive health, orthopedics and sports medicine, alongside Bailey-Boushay House, the nation’s first skilled nursing and chronic care management facility dedicated to people living with HIV/AIDS. The medical center sustains a strong academic mission with more than 225 residents and fellows across 25 programs, and continues to expand training opportunities through new offerings such as its structural heart fellowship. The hospital drives high patient volume and specialized care, with more than 63,000 inpatient days, over 202,000 outpatient visits and more than 22,000 emergency encounters annually. It is Washington’s top-ranked hospital in the state according to U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26. Recent innovations include a DNV-certified left ventricular assist device program, one of only four in the Pacific Northwest, and nationally recognized centers of excellence in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pancreatitis.

WVU Medicine (Morgantown, W.Va.). WVU Medicine is West Virginia’s largest health system and largest private employer, operating 25 hospitals and employing approximately 35,000 people statewide. Anchored by J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WVU Medicine delivers comprehensive and specialty care through five institutes that allow patients to receive advanced services without leaving the state. As an academic medical center, WVU Medicine is deeply focused on research, education and training programs for physicians, nurses and allied health professionals, with an emphasis on issues impacting West Virginians. The system has expanded rapidly in recent years, increasing access to care, creating new businesses, offering health insurance options and driving economic development across the region. WVU Medicine is committed to community responsibility by providing care regardless of income or insurance status and supporting education, social services and outreach for vulnerable populations. U.S. News & World Report ranks WVU Medicine No. 1 in West Virginia, with national rankings in two pediatric specialties. Looking ahead, WVU Medicine plans to acquire Independence Health System in Pennsylvania by fall 2026, investing $800 million over five years to modernize facilities, expand services and strengthen regional access to high-quality care.

Washington Regional Medical Center-Fayetteville (Ark.). Washington Regional Medical Center has evolved over 75 years from a small county facility into the leading health system in Northwest Arkansas, offering nationally recognized, world-class care across five centers of excellence and more than 40 clinic locations throughout the region. The hospital is the area’s only level 2 trauma center and the region’s only advanced comprehensive stroke center, reflecting its capacity to deliver the highest-level emergency and neurological care. Washington Regional is also the only hospital in Northwest Arkansas to earn The Joint Commission’s “Gold Seal of Approval” for advanced certification in spine surgery, as well as “Gold Seal” recognition for hip and knee replacement. Strengthening its position as the state’s top-performing hospital, U.S. News & World Report has named Washington Regional the No. 1 hospital in Arkansas for five consecutive years, with “high performing” designations in 13 areas of care, more than any other hospital statewide. The organization is expanding its academic impact as well, partnering with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to grow graduate medical education, securing new residency programs in neurology and emergency medicine, and gaining approval for 26 additional residency slots to meet the region’s future workforce needs. Washington Regional continues to accelerate innovation, becoming the region’s first provider of pulsed field ablation for AFib and investing in long-term campus expansion, including 13 newly acquired acres for future development.

Yale New Haven (Conn.) Hospital. Yale New Haven Hospital is a nationally recognized academic medical center offering comprehensive services across more than 100 specialty areas and leveraging its deep affiliation with the Yale School of Medicine to advance leading-edge care, research and innovation. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and routinely ranked among the nation’s best byU.S. News & World Report, with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital holding the No. 1 position in Connecticut and ranking No. 2 in all of New England for 2025-26. As a destination for complex care, the hospital delivers a full continuum of services, from diagnosis and advanced therapeutics to coordinated care management, supported by a robust academic and clinical research enterprise. Yale New Haven has implemented eCART, an AI-powered early warning system that identifies clinical deterioration an average of four hours before a critical event, improving patient safety and enabling more proactive intervention. The system also entered into a systemwide partnership with Artisight to deploy an AI-enabled smart hospital platform focused on virtual nursing, automated documentation and real-time observation that reduces clinician workload and improves care coordination. Early data from peer institutions show the platform can significantly accelerate on-time discharges and save bedside nurses substantial time by shifting admission and discharge tasks to virtual teams.