2011-12 Best Children's Hospitals: the Honor Roll

During the 1980 's I spent 3 weeks in the CHOP Pediatric postgraduate fellowship programs.Not only did I have a chance to meet many of their topnotch subspecialty physicians,but also when appropriate to ask questions.I am still so greatful for the experiences during my 4th year WCUMC Pediatric elective "substitute residency"which helped me make at least one rare diagnosis during my later practice years.---Bernard A.Yablin,MD

Benard A.Yablin of NY 10:05AM May 04, 2012

I am quite sure, though I have never been able to find and answer one way or the other, that these rankings will only rank a childrens hospital if it is a freestanding childrens hospital and not a childrens hospital within a larger also adult hospital.

I believe this restriction skews the rankings enough that it may actually result in harm to children!!

Just because you have a building that stands alone means NOTHING as far as the care you give.

Conversely, just because you are contained physically within a larger also adult facility does not mean the care you give to children in lower quality in any way, shape or form.

Interesting that in many cities where I have direct experience both as a father of a medically fragile special needs child as well as a Pediatric ICU nurse, that the childrens hospital within a larger adult hospital actually provides better care for the child.

Again, I honestly believe that this survey, in counting only childrens hospitals that have a physically seperate building, is significantly misleading is not downright harmful!!

Marty Gister of AZ 10:59AM July 21, 2011

Seattle Children's hospital is an amazing hospital I have been a patient since I was a baby I have had many procedures,MRI's,CT scans,surgeries there and I have always had the best nurses and doctors. I think that Children's deserves it's spot on this honor roll list.

Ashley of WA 8:39PM July 19, 2011

This ranking makes no sense, there are many important conditions treated at some of the "lower" ranking centers that are not, or inadequately offered at others that are "higher," The numerical scores are misleading and meaningless. Given that the ranking system used by USNEWS has always stressed subspecialized unique care over great general care for children, I am surprised the system can't reflect subspecialty services correctly either. it would be great if there was a ranking out there that reflected excellence in care delivery for ALL of the kids who come through its doors, general medical patients included. This isn't it.

kp of PA 6:18PM May 22, 2011