Boston Children's ranked top pediatric hospital for sixth year

Boston Children’s Hospital has maintained its standing among the nation’s highest-ranked pediatric hospitals, topping the list for the sixth year in a row in a ranking by the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The list is compiled from 191 facilities across the nation that are either a freestanding children’s hospital or a pediatric hospital within a major medical center. Using surveys as well as data on mortality, infection and surgical outcome, U.S. News ranks the top 50 institutions in 10 specialties.

Children’s ranked within the top five in every specialty ranked, including first in cancer, fifth in cardiology and heart surgery, second in diabetes and endocrinology, fourth in gastroenterology & GI surgery, second in neonatology, first in nephrology, first in neurology, first in orthopedics, third in pulmonology and first in urology.

“We are deeply honored to have again earned the distinction of being the nation’s top-ranked children’s hospital,” Boston Children's CEO Sandra L. Fenwick said in a release. “It’s a tribute to the doctors, nurses, researchers and so many other staff whose exceptional work every day is improving the health and well-being of children from around the world and around the corner.”

While Children’s has retained its top spot in the overall rankings, its performance has shifted amongst the categories. The hospital received first in five categories this year as opposed to three, received second in two categories instead of three, and received third in one specialty instead of three. The hospital also received a fourth and fifth ranking this year, as opposed to one fourth place ranking last year.

Only one other Massachusetts children’s hospital ranked in the top 50 categories. MassGeneral Hospital for Children ranked in five specialties, coming in 43rd for diabetes, 23rd in gastroenterology, 46th in neonatology, 24th in pulmonology, and 44th in urology. Last year, the hospital only ranked in four specialties.