Ever since U.S.News & World Report began publishing its “Best Hospitals in America” reports in 1990, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has appeared on that list 19 times.

The 2008 health care rankings are accessible July 11 online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals and will be on sale on newsstands beginning July 14.

At UI Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa’s only comprehensive academic medical center, nine specialties are ranked overall. Two of the honored specialties—Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) at second and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (eyes) at sixth—rank among the nation's top 10 in their respective categories.

The other ranked specialties at UI Hospitals and Clinics include:

• Orthopaedic Surgery (12)
• Cancer (23)
• Neurology and Neurosurgery (25)
• Gynecology (31)
• Kidney Disease (32)
• Urology (40)
• Digestive Disorders (41)

Jean Robillard, MD, vice president for medical affairs with University of Iowa Health Care, said the rankings highlight the depth and breadth of services at UI Hospitals and Clinics.

"These rankings speak to the extent of our strength in providing high quality patient care, conducting pioneering research and educating health care professionals," Robillard said. "Many institutions are good at doing one or perhaps two of those missions, but few are good at all three."

Robillard cautioned that no one should make decisions about their health care based solely upon such rankings. That decision should be made after considering an array of factors and in consultation with the patient's physician.

For more information:

U.S.News & World Report 2008 Rankings

Jean Robillard, MD

Jean Robillard's KXIC Radio Interview

UI Carver College of Medicine

UI Physicians

Other UI Hospitals and Clinics Honors and Recognitions