Hospitals of University of California Health among the best in the nation and California

The hospitals of University of California Health (UC Health) once again have been rated among the best in the nation and the state, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2020-2021 Best Hospitals rankings. UCLA Health and UCSF Health hospitals were nationally ranked fourth and eighth, respectively, and all UC medical centers earned spots in the top 11 hospitals statewide.

“Achieving these national, state and specialty care rankings is a reflection of the dedication, skill and compassion that our teams bring every day for the people in our communities who entrust us with their care,” said Dr. Carrie L. Byington, executive vice president of UC Health and an infectious disease expert. “We’re dedicated to providing exceptional expertise, combined with a spirit of service, for all people in California. These commitments have always been essential, and the pandemic has underscored even further the importance of quality health care as a priority for all.”

For more than two decades, the hospitals of UCLA Health and UCSF Health have been on U.S. News’ National Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognizes the top 20 hospitals across the nation that deliver exceptional treatment across multiple areas of care.

The rankings for each of the medical centers are:

• UCLA Health moved up to No. 4 nationally and ranked No. 1 in California and No. 1 in Los Angeles. UCLA Health earned top 10 rankings in 13 specialties, up from 12 last year: cardiology and heart surgery; diabetes and endocrinology; ear, nose and throat; gastroenterology and GI surgery; geriatrics; ophthalmology, psychiatry; pulmonology and lung surgery; orthopedics; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; rheumatology; and urology. In addition, UCLA Health was recognized nationally for cancer care. UCLA Health comprises four hospitals on two campuses — Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital on the University’s main campus, and UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.
• UCSF Health’s Medical Center was rated No. 8 nationally, No. 3 in California overall and No. 1 in the San Francisco metro area. The hospital ranked among the top 10 hospitals nationwide in 10 specialty areas: cancer; diabetes and endocrinology; geriatrics; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; ophthalmology; psychiatry; pulmonology; rheumatology; and urology. In addition, UCSF Medical Center was noted as the Best in the West in four specialties: diabetes, neurology and neurosurgery, rheumatology and urology, as well as the top-ranked hospital in Northern California in seven specialties: cancer; ear, nose and throat; gastroenterology and GI surgery; geriatrics; nephrology; ophthalmology; and pulmonology.
• UC San Diego Health, with hospitals in La Jolla and San Diego, tied for the top spot in the San Diego metro area and moved up the statewide list to No. 6. It was noted among the best in the nation in 10 specialty care areas: cancer; cardiology and heart surgery; gastroenterology and GI surgery; geriatrics; gynecology; orthopedics; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; pulmonology and urology.
• UC Davis Health’s Medical Center again ranked as the No. 1 hospital in the Sacramento metro area while also being recognized as a top hospital in the state (No. 9). The medical center scored highly in nine areas of specialty care nationally: cancer; cardiology and heart surgery; ear, nose and throat; geriatrics; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; pulmonology and lung surgery; and urology.
• UCI Health’s Medical Center was rated No. 11 among hospitals in the state and was recognized for the 20th consecutive year for national excellence in specialty care. UCI Medical Center ranked among leading hospitals nationally for geriatrics, gynecology, nephrology and urology.

U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide to create its rankings this year. This year 134 hospitals ranked nationally in at least one specialty, while all of UC’s hospitals scored among the best in multiple specialties. The assessment included performance in 26 adult specialties, procedures and conditions.