Posted on July 1, 2004 at 4:46 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — A record 14 programs from UAB are ranked in this year’s U.S. News and World Report’s annual “America’s Best Hospitals” issue, which was released today. Several programs jumped significantly in the ratings and several previously not ranked programs made the grade this year.
The magazine selects 50 programs in 17 medical specialties. UAB’s rheumatology program again was ranked No. 6 in the nation. Three previously unranked programs — urology, neurology and neurosurgery, and digestive disorders, were added to the list. They were ranked 32nd, 32nd and 50th, respectively.
Six UAB programs made significant jumps in the rankings, including: heart and heart surgery, which jumped from 25th to 13th; kidney disease, which jumped from 20th to 13; gynecology, which jumped from 33rd to 17th; cancer, which jumped from 28th to 19th; ear, nose and throat; which jumped from 38th to 29th; and orthopedics, which jumped from 42nd to 34th. Other program rankings included: geriatrics, ranked 29th; respiratory disorders, ranked 28th, hormonal disorders, ranked 41st, and rehabilitation, ranked 23rd.
“This is a landmark year for the hospital and we are so proud UAB is consistently included in this defining list of the nation’s top hospitals,” said Mary G. Nash, Ph.D., executive director of UAB Hospital. “In 1998, we had five programs recognized and today we have 14 of 17 medical specialties in the top 50. These rankings are one of many indicators that demonstrate our continual quest for excellence in all that we do.”
This year marks the 13th consecutive time the rheumatology program has ranked. Cardiology has been ranked for the past nine years and gynecology for six years. This is the 15th year that U.S. News has published its “Best Hospitals” issue.