UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital is recognized as one of the nation’s best pediatric cardiology and heart surgery programs in the 2025–26 U.S. News & World Report rankings, coming in at No. 15, and is the highest-ranked program of its kind in Florida. The UF Health Congenital Heart Center provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients of all ages with congenital and acquired heart disease, including fetal diagnosis, advanced imaging, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure management and transplantation. Its expert surgical team performs nearly 300 congenital heart surgeries each year, caring for one of the most complex patient populations in the Southeast and achieving exceptional outcomes across both routine and high-risk procedures. Survival rates for 10 standard pediatric heart operations from 2020–2024 reached 100%, thanks to the program’s consistency and clinical excellence. As part of the UF Academic Health Center, patients benefit from seamless collaboration with specialists across pediatric and adult disciplines to address even the most complex needs. The center is also a leader in education and training through its pediatric cardiology fellowship program, which integrates all aspects of congenital heart care. The hospital utilizes a deeply patient- and family-centered approach.
