U.S. News & World Report has ranked University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in six specialties in the new 2017–18 Best Children’s Hospitals list published online June 27.

UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital ranked No. 20 in neonatology, No. 21 in nephrology, No. 34 in cancer, No. 36 in urology, No. 45 in pulmonology, and No. 48 in cardiology/heart surgery.

U.S. News introduced the Best Children’s Hospitals rankings in 2007 to help families of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses find the best medical care available. U.S. News is the only comprehensive source of quality-related information about U.S. pediatric centers.

The 11th annual rankings recognize the top 50 pediatric facilities across the U.S. in 10 specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, and urology.

“We are honored to continue to be ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the United States and the only hospital in Iowa to be nationally ranked for children’s health care,” says Raphael Hirsch, physician-in-chief of UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and chair of the UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics. “This recognition is a true testimonial to our expertise in pediatric medicine and our continued commitment to children and their families.”

The U.S. News Best Children’s Hospitals rankings rely on clinical data and on an annual survey of pediatric specialists. The rankings methodology considers clinical outcomes, such as mortality and infection rates; efficiency and coordination of care delivery; and compliance with best practices.

“This honor is a reflection of the outstanding care and service provided by our doctors, nurses, and staff to the patients and their families every single day,” says Scott Turner, executive director of the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. “These rankings, together with the opening of our new state-of-the-art hospital, demonstrate our commitment to provide the most advanced health care possible to the children of Iowa and beyond.”

The pediatric centers ranked in Best Children’s Hospitals deliver exceptional care and deserve to be recognized for their commitment, says Avery Comarow, health rankings editor for U.S. News.

“Children with life-threatening illnesses or rare conditions need the state-of-the-art services and expertise these hospitals provide every day,” Comarow says.

U.S. News will publish this year’s rankings in their Best Hospitals 2018 guidebook, which will be available on newsstands Sept. 12.

Visit Best Children’s Hospitals for the complete rankings, and use #BestHospitals on Facebook and Twitter.