BOB体育

The University of Florida Health Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital ranks among the nation鈥檚 best pediatric hospitals in six medical specialties, according to the Best Children鈥檚 Hospitals rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

BOB体育鈥檚 pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program earned a historically high ranking, moving up three places to 21st in the country. Five other BOB体育 pediatric specialties remained among the nation鈥檚 elite programs in the 2017-18 rankings: diabetes and endocrinology (23rd), pulmonology (33rd), cancer (46th), neonatology (48th) and neurology and neurosurgery (49th). The cancer and cardiology and heart surgery programs are also the highest ranked among children鈥檚 hospitals in Florida.

鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic to see that we are viewed as a national leader in so many programs. It鈥檚 especially gratifying to have our cardiology and heart surgery program, which has been recognized by other organizations as one of the nation鈥檚 best, continue to rise and flourish,鈥� said , chair of the and physician-in-chief of the BOB体育 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital.

Rivkees attributes the cardiology and heart surgery program鈥檚 higher ranking to its overall excellence in every aspect of cardiac care as well as its continued successes with heart transplants. BOB体育 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital is one of the busiest pediatric heart transplant centers in the United States, he said.

鈥淲hen families in Florida are looking for a place to have their child鈥檚 complex cardiac conditions treated, these rankings are affirmation that they should look to BOB体育,鈥� Rivkees said.

Mark Bleiweis, M.D., chief of pediatric and congenital cardiovascular surgery at BOB体育, said it is extremely pleasing to have the pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program recognized yet again for its commitment to excellent care.

鈥淥ur team includes some of the country鈥檚 leading specialists and researchers, and they pride themselves on bringing the most innovative treatments and latest findings to patients,鈥� Bleiweis said. 鈥淭heir hard work, dedication and expertise are what continue to make BOB体育 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital one of the nation鈥檚 top locations for pediatric heart patients.鈥�

The rankings in six pediatric specialties are a reflection of improvements in patient outcomes that have been sustained for several years, according to Rivkees.

鈥淭hese rankings demonstrate the dedication and determination among our physicians, nurses and staff. Their commitment to excellence is one of many reasons that a growing number of people are choosing BOB体育 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital when their child needs exceptional medical care,鈥� said Ed Jimenez, chief executive officer of BOB体育 Shands.

The U.S. News Best Children鈥檚 Hospital rankings are compiled from clinical data and an annual survey of pediatric specialists across the country. Survival rates after surgery, adequacy of nurse staffing, procedure and patient volume and other information can be found at . The rankings will be published in U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 鈥淏est Hospitals 2018鈥� guidebook, which will be available on newsstands Sept. 12.

Also this month, BOB体育 Shands Hospital received the highest rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons for its patient care and outcomes in congenital heart surgery. The distinguished three-star rating puts the hospital among the elite for congenital heart surgery in the United States and Canada. The analysis reviewed outcomes and patient care from January 2014 to December 2016.