ST. LOUIS, July 8, 2005 — St. Louis Children's Hospital continues to climb the ranks of top pediatric hospitals in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. The hospital jumped six places from last year to rank 13th on the elite list of top pediatric hospitals.
This is the highest placement yet for St. Louis Children's Hospital. According to Hospital president Lee Fetter, that makes sense. "As we continue to pioneer advanced treatments for children, it stands to reason that more and more of our colleagues across the country will take notice."
The report, which hits newsstands July 11, is based on the hospital’s exceptional reputation among the American Medical Association's board-certified physicians.
The annual rankings for pediatrics are based on a three-year average of surveys where a national cross-section of board-certified pediatricians are asked to name up to five hospitals they consider top in this specialty.
This year marks St. Louis Children's Hospital's eighth appearance on the list.
St. Louis Children's Hospital was the only pediatric hospital in Missouri to be named in the report.
"Just months after being ranked by Child magazine, receiving this prestigious honor is yet another gratifying reminder of St. Louis Children's Hospital's standing on a national level."
Researchers with U.S. News say the most successful hospitals follow advanced treatment guidelines. They conduct research that migrates flawlessly to bedsides and take advantage of improvements in imaging, surgical devices and other technologies.
"Through our affiliation with Washington University School of Medicine, a child in our care has access to the most advanced treatment options pediatric medicine has to offer, including some of the most sophisticated research and clinical trials being done anywhere in the world," said Fetter.
Of 6,007 eligible hospitals, only 176 achieved at least one ranking in one of 17 specialties surveyed. Pediatrics is among those 17 specialties.
St. Louis Children's Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 125 years. The hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, ranked the number three medical school in the country by U.S. News & World Report. In 2005, Child magazine ranked St. Louis Children's Hospital among the 10 best children's hospitals in the country, and third in emergency medicine. St. Louis Children's Hospital is a member of BJC HealthCare.