UK HealthCare has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in Kentucky for the ninth year in a row by U.S. News & World Report. Chandler Hospital was also named Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access – a new category from U.S. News that recognizes success in caring for patients in historically underserved communities.
"Being a leader in health care is more than a designation; it is a constant drive to better the lives of our patients," said Robert S. DiPaola, MD, UK’s co-executive vice president for health affairs. "Maintaining – and improving upon – our U.S. News Rankings shows our dedication to superior care, innovative research, forward-thinking education, and the heartfelt service from our faculty, providers and staff at UK HealthCare."
UK’s Markey Cancer Center, the state’s only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute, has ranked in the Top 50 for the last 8 years. This year, the ranking improved from #44 to #36.
“Together, these recognitions firmly establish Markey among the nation's top cancer centers, affirming that patients can access world-class cancer care right here in Kentucky,” said B. Mark Evers, MD, director of the UK Markey Cancer Center. “They also underscore our collective efforts to reduce Kentucky’s cancer burden through research, prevention, education, and treatment as we pursue our ultimate goal: conquering cancer in the Commonwealth.”
The department of obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) ranked for the second year in a row, improving from #40 to #21. The OB-GYN group provides a full range of office and surgical obstetric and gynecologic services, including subspecialty services in high-risk obstetrics, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology, minimally invasive gynecology, and midwifery care. The department also provides a breadth of specialty services throughout Kentucky via telehealth programs and works closely with the Kentucky Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), one of only two Level IV NICUs in the state, to ensure that mothers and their children are cared for at the highest level.
“Receiving this national recognition for our program’s excellence in women’s health care is an honor, and this remarkable achievement is built upon the solid foundation laid out by my predecessors,” said Emily DeFranco, DO, chair of obstetrics and gynecology. “As chair, I am committed to driving our program forward through research, education, and providing the highest quality evidence-based practice and unwavering compassion to our patients.”
The department of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery once again ranked in the Top 50, improving from #49 (tied) to #37. With expertise spanning a wide range of specialties, including otology, rhinology, laryngology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck cancer, and audiology, the department is equipped to address even the most complex cases with precision and compassion.
“We have an unbelievable legacy of high-quality patient-centered care and impactful academic leadership that has been established by senior faculty and amplified by our newer faculty members,” said Matthew Bush, MD, chair of otolaryngology. Our motto in our department is “expect excellence” – in patient care, in research, and in educating the next generation of physicians. We strive to be excellent in everything we do. This recognition from U.S. News is further validation of the high standards we hold for ourselves.”
Six specialties – four more than the previous year’s rankings – also received a “High Performing” designation: gastroenterology, GI surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology.
In addition to the specialty rankings, the enterprise also received a record 14 “High Performing” designations for common adult procedures and conditions:
- Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Colon Cancer Surgery
- Gynecological Cancer Surgery (previously listed separately as Ovarian Cancer Surgery/Uterine Cancer Surgery)
- Heart Attack
- Heart Bypass
- Heart Failure
- Hip Replacement
- Kidney Failure
- Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma
- Lung Cancer Surgery
- Pneumonia
- Prostate Cancer Surgery
- Stroke
U.S. News rankings for children’s hospitals are announced separately, and Kentucky Children’s Hospital is currently recognized as a Best Children’s Hospital and is ranked in the Top 50 for three pediatric specialties: pediatric cardiology and heart surgery (#7); pediatric orthopedic care (#42); and pediatric urology (#42)