The children’s hospitals of University of California each ranked in the top 10 in the state and the five-state Pacific region in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022–2023 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. The hospitals also were recognized for excellence in multiple areas of subspecialty care. The U.S. News & World Report annual rankings serve as a guide to hospitals nationwide that excel in treating children with the most challenging diagnoses.

All of UC’s pediatric hospitals were rated in the top 50 in the nation in multiple specialties that involve caring for children with medically complex conditions. Of the nearly 200 children’s hospitals reviewed this year, just 90 of them scored high enough to be ranked nationally in more than one of the pediatric specialties evaluated.

“The health of our children is under increasing threat from a growing number of factors such as infectious diseases, access to nutrition and changes in the environment. The dedication and accomplishments of the teams at UC children’s hospitals is outstanding, especially considering the additional pressures of the past several years,” said Dr. Carrie L. Byington, executive vice president of University of California Health and a pediatrician. “I congratulate them on this recognition and the work they do to provide care for children with the most complex needs, as well as routine and preventative care.”

The rankings earned by each UC children’s hospital are:

• UC Davis Children’s Hospital as the Sacramento region’s only nationally ranked, comprehensive children’s hospital was rated No. 8 in the state and No. 10 in the Pacific region. The hospital was among the nation’s best for five pediatric specialty care areas: diabetes and endocrinology; neonatology; nephrology; orthopedics; and pulmonology and lung surgery. The orthopedics rankings were awarded in collaboration with Shriners Children’s Northern California.
• UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, located within Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, was rated No. 5  in California and No. 6  in the Pacific region. For the 16th consecutive year, the hospital was recognized for excellence and ranked among the nation’s best in multiple pediatric specialties. The seven ranked specialty areas were: cancer; gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery; nephrology; neonatology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; and urology.
• UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, located on opposite sides of the San Francisco bay, were evaluated jointly by U.S. News & World Report. The hospitals were tied for the No. 3 children’s hospital in both California and the Pacific region. For the seventh year, the hospitals together were ranked among the best children’s hospitals nationally across all 10 specialties evaluated. They were rated in the top 25 nationwide in seven pediatric specialties: cancer; gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery; neonatology; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; pulmonology and lung surgery; and urology. The hospitals also received high marks in three other pediatric specialties: cardiology and heart surgery; diabetes and endocrinology; and orthopedics.

The annual assessment, now in its 16th year, is based on clinical data and a national survey of pediatric specialists. The methodology reflects clinical outcomes such as patient survival, infection rates and complications; the level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care, including staffing, special services and technology; delivery of health care, such as programs to prevent infection and promote adherence to best practices; and expert opinion from surveys of pediatric specialists. 

For 2022-23, U.S. News ranked the top 50 children’s hospitals nationwide in each of these 10 pediatric specialties: cancer; cardiology and heart surgery; diabetes and endocrinology; gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery; neonatology; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; pulmonology and lung surgery; and urology.

About University of California Health

University of California Health (UCH) comprises six academic health centers, 20 health professional schools, a Global Health Institute and systemwide services that improve the health of patients and the University’s students, faculty and employees. All of UC’s hospitals are ranked among the best in California, and its medical schools and health professional schools are nationally ranked in their respective areas.