The Methodist Hospital ranked in 12 specialties by U.S. News & World Report

Houston - 7/11/2008 -

Ranked in more specialties than any hospital in Texas

The Methodist Hospital ranked among the country’s top hospitals in 12 specialties in U.S News & World Report's 2008 “America's Best Hospitals” issue. Methodist is ranked in more specialties than any hospital in Texas.

The Methodist Hospital has five specialties ranked in the top 20, also more than any hospital in the state. Rankings improved in six specialties.

Of the 5,400 hospitals nationwide eligible to be ranked this year, only 170 were ranked in one or more of the 16 specialties. Methodist has ranked consistently in clinical areas since the rankings began in 1990.

"This impressive showing and our consistent ranking by U.S. News over the past 16 years highlights our commitment to our patients,” said Ron Girotto, CEO and president of The Methodist Hospital System. "This achievement is a tribute to our physicians and employees whose talents, dedication and compassion make Methodist one of the best hospitals in the country.”

Methodist ranked in the following specialties: Cancer (33), Heart/Heart Surgery (28), Ear, Nose, Throat (26), Gastroenterology (17), Geriatrics (37), Kidney (31), Neurology/neurosurgery (12), Ophthalmology (14), Orthopedics (34), Psychiatry (17), Rheumatology (24) and Urology (11).

The hospitals chosen by the magazine received a score that weighs reputation, mortality and a group of care-related factors such as nursing and technology. Each specialty lists the 50 highest-scoring hospitals.

The magazine featuring the rankings will be on the newsstands July 14. Also this year, The Methodist Hospital System was named No. 10 on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” 2008 list.