News Story

**LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 21, 2023) — ** Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) has been recognized as a 2023-24 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. These rankings assist parents of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses and their doctors in choosing the right hospital for them. KCH was ranked nationally in three areas of specialized care.

The Joint Pediatric and Congenital Heart Program, a collaboration between Cincinnati Children’s and Kentucky Children’s Hospital, ranked seventh in the country in pediatric cardiology & heart surgery. This ranking also includes patients treated through the adult congenital heart program, a collaboration with UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart and Vascular Institute for adult patients who were born with congenital heart defects.  

In association with Shriners Children's Lexington, KCH is ranked 42nd in the country for pediatric orthopedic care. While they are separate entities, Shriners and KCH work closely together to provide seamless pediatric orthopedic care. A staff of board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists have cared for children at both institutions for over 35 years.

The pediatric urology team at KCH is ranked 42nd in the nation for kidney, ureter, bladder and genital care. Since 2013, pediatric urology physicians, advanced practice providers and nurses and staff have seen more than 18,000 patients and performed more than 5,000 surgeries at KCH and satellite locations across Kentucky.

“These rankings are a reflection of the dedication and compassion our providers have for Kentucky’s kids,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., physician-in-chief at KCH. “We’re honored to be recognized for the care we provide. Because of the expertise of our providers and our ability to create meaningful partnerships with other institutions, our patients don’t have to go far from home to get the best care in the country.”

“At UK HealthCare, we are committed to creating a stronger, healthier Kentucky,” said Robert DiPaola, M.D., acting co-executive vice president for health affairs for UK HealthCare. “By advancing pediatric subspecialty care, we are ensuring Kentucky’s kids have the best possible start here at home.”

U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 119 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists.

About Kentucky Children’s Hospital

Kentucky Children's Hospital, part of UK HealthCare, is committed to providing the best care possible, for children as well as families. With the region's only Level I pediatric trauma center and Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, more than 30 advanced subspecialty programs such as pediatric oncology and pediatric surgery and nationally ranked by the U.S. News and World Report in pediatric heart care, urology and orthopedics, KCH is equipped to provide the highest level of care to young patients, close to home.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

_UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Kentucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report.  _

_As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come. _