UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital has been nationally ranked in five medical specialties, making significant gains in three areas — pediatric cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, and diabetes/endocrinology — according to the 2019-20 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.
UF Health’s pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program achieved a historically high ranking, moving up eight places to 11th in the nation. Two other specialties also made big jumps: Diabetes and endocrinology is ranked No. 19 (up from 27th), and cancer rose to No. 25 (up 24 spots from last year). Two other specialties — neurology and neurosurgery (42nd, up from 50th) and pulmonology (22nd, same as last year) — are also ranked among the nation’s elite programs.
“These rankings validate the dedication and skill of our physicians, nurses and staff members,” said David R. Nelson, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health.
“Parents of our young patients trust us with their children’s treatment. It is particularly gratifying to know that the care they receive across five specialties is among the very best in the country.”
The hospital’s pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program was the highest-rated in Florida for the fourth consecutive year. Also ranked highest in Florida were cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, and pulmonology. The neurology and neurosurgery program is the second-highest ranked program in the state.
Mark Bleiweis, M.D., director of the UF Health Congenital Heart Center, said it is a privilege to lead a team that continues to achieve higher rankings and improved outcomes. The center has recently seen an increase in the number of complex cases and a higher percentage of small infants, which makes the strong patient outcome figures even more impressive.
“We have great specialists taking care of heart disease. We have outstanding surgical and medical teams and great postoperative care. All of those factors have come together to achieve the best outcomes in the country. This could not be achieved without the seamless collaboration of our physicians, nursing staff and dynamic care team,” Bleiweis said.
Pediatric cancer made the largest jump. William Slayton, M.D., chief of pediatric hematology/oncology, said his division’s unprecedented rise in the rankings is a result of many factors: improvement in the rate of bloodstream infections; five-year cancer survival rates; a one-year survival rate for bone marrow transplant patients; and a trio of ongoing clinical trials involving pediatric brain tumors and immunotherapy.
“I’m extremely proud of the inspired efforts by everyone in the division. We have always focused on looking out for patients’ best interests. This ranking honors all of that hard work,” Slayton said.
In diabetes and endocrinology, ongoing efforts to improve patient care and expand research opportunities demonstrate our dedication to moving the field forward, said Michael Haller, M.D., chief of pediatric endocrinology. The division optimized automated electronic medical records and now offers retinal screenings in its clinics.
“We’re very excited to see that our team continues to be recognized for the outstanding efforts being made to improve the lives of children affected by diabetes and endocrine disorders,” Haller said.
Ed Jimenez, UF Health Shands CEO, said the overall rankings reflect the staff’s unwavering commitment to innovation and patient care.
“Providing the best possible patient experience requires dedication, focus and teamwork. Our expertise and outcomes are why parents continue to turn to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital to solve their child’s complex medical issues,” he said. “These rankings from a respected, external group confirm that we have some of the best clinical programs in the United States.”