Texas Medical Center NEWS


Vol. 24, No. 13		July 15, 2002

"Best in the Nation" Ranking Goes to Six TMC Hospitals

The numbers have been crunched, the lists have been compiled, and the verdict is in. The list of "America’s Best Hospitals," featured in the July 22 issue of U.S. News & World Report, spotlights six Texas Medical Center hospitals.

Since 1990, U.S. News has published a survey, created at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, recognizing the nation’s most exceptional medical centers. The survey is intended to be a resource for consumers who are seeking maximum care in the diagnosis, treatment and management of difficult medical problems.

This year, data was obtained from 6,045 hospitals. For hospitals to be eligible for the survey, several criteria were considered, including membership in the Council of Teaching Hospitals, affiliation with a medical school, or having no less than nine key specialties from a list of 17. The field was narrowed to 1,958, due to the absence of one or more of the criteria. Of these eligible hospitals, 205 were chosen as the most outstanding.

Texas Medical Center institutions ranked as follows:

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center: Cancer (1), Gynecology (4), Ear, nose, and throat (8), Urology (12), Neurology and neurosurgery (30), Digestive disorders (40)

For the second time in three years, M.D. Anderson was ranked the nation’s top cancer hospital. M.D. Anderson has ranked as one of the two top hospitals in cancer care since the magazine began this annual survey.

"To be named the best in cancer care recognizes the commitment and skills our faculty, staff and volunteers bring to our patients every day," said John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of M.D. Anderson. "New discoveries and knowledge continue to advance ways to treat this devastating disease. We are proud to be ranked number one for our accomplishments, and are grateful for the progress we have been able to make for our patients.

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research: Rehabilitation (2)

TIRR was named the No. 2 rehabilitation hospital in the nation for the second consecutive year. Twenty hospitals were named to the list of rehabilitation facilities, and TIRR is again the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital in the South. This is the 13th time TIRR has been included on the list, and during this period, the hospital has provided care for more than 12,000 patients.

"While the ranking is impressive, the real story at TIRR is the dedication and commitment of more than 600 employees and patient care staff. They witness ‘miracles’ on a daily basis as they assist patients and their families, perform important research, and guide our organization into the future," said E. Ashley Smith, TIRR Systems president and CEO. "Our placement on this list each year is a tribute to the innovative, collaborative, world-class care of our physicians, therapists, nurses, technicians, researchers and all our support staff at TIRR."

The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital: (7) Heart & heart surgery

The Texas Heart Institute has ranked among the nation’s top 10 heart centers for 12 consecutive years, and this year’s ranking is the same as last year.

"The consistency of this honor reflects the unwavering dedication and outstanding work of our physicians, scientists, and nursing and support staff," said Denton A. Cooley, M.D., founder, president, and surgeon in chief of the Texas Heart Institute and chief of cardiovascular surgery at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. "We value this recognition as we move forward to expand our world-renowned leadership in education, research and treatment of heart disease."

Texas Children’s Hospital: Pediatrics (8)

Texas Children’s Hospital was named the top pediatric hospital in the South and Southwest, and one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation.

The Methodist Hospital: Neurology and neurosurgery (10), Urology (11), Eyes (15), Ear, nose, and throat (17), Gynecology (24), Kidney disease (32)

Methodist has ranked consistently in a variety of clinical areas since the guide began, and improved its previous rankings in four specialties this year, and is the only Texas institution named in the eye category.

Memorial Hermann Hospital: Kidney disease (35)

Memorial Hermann Hospital surgeons have successfully performed a minimally invasive technique for kidney removal that enables donors to return to work and family life faster and with less pain. This is the only procedure of its kind performed in Houston.

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