University of Iowa Health Care leaders announced this morning that University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is included yet again on a widely recognized list of the leading hospitals in the United States.

"The Best Hospitals in America" listing is compiled annually by U.S.News & World Report.

At UI Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center, nine specialties are ranked overall.

• Cancer
• Gynecology
• Ophthalmology and visual sciences (eyes)
• Orthopaedics and rehabilitation
• Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat)
• Nephrology
• Neurology/neurosurgery
• Pulmonology
• Urology

Jean Robillard, M.D., vice president for medical affairs with University of Iowa Health Care, says, "These rankings are indicators of excellence, and all Iowans can be proud of what they represent."

Last month, University of Iowa Children’s Hospital was ranked in 10 specialties by the same publication.

“Earning such high ratings in so many specialties demonstrates that we have a great deal of strength across the entire spectrum of health care services, and that the reputation of our physicians is quite strong among their peers,” says Donna Hammond, Ph.D., acting dean of the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

For the first time, the publication also ranked hospitals within each of the 50 states in the nation, and rated UI Hospitals and Clinics No. 1 in Iowa.

"Our faculty and staff are focused on providing excellent care and outstanding service," says Kenneth Kates, M.B.A., associate vice president of UI Health Care and CEO of UI Hospitals and Clinics. “Their hard work and devotion to our patients and families is the key to achieving this kind of recognition, so all the credit goes to our people who do such a tremendous job every day.”

UI Hospitals and Clinics is also ranked as “high-performing” in the following specialties:

• Cardiology and Heart Surgery
• Diabetes and Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Geriatrics
• Psychiatry

Health professionals caution that patients should not make decisions about their health care based solely upon such rankings. They should instead consider an array of factors and consult their physicians.

The 2012-2013 health care rankings are accessible today online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals or www.uihealthcare.org.