Hospitals Where the Extraordinary Is Routine
When three reporters went out to find examples of the best that pediatric medicine has to offer, they returned bearing tales of wondrous feats.
Cancer
After 27 months of chemotherapy and complications, Breanna Atwell is going home.
Digestive Disorders
Thanks to liver treatment that included fish oil, Scarlett Levine is a golden girl no longer.
Makenna Franks, 4, goes in for a checkup on her heart surgery last August. Parents are Brandy and Bobby Franks. (Kevin Horan/Aurora for USN&WR)
Heart and Heart Surgery
Last year Makenna Franks had the third open-heart surgery in her four-year life. Now she's chasing after cousins and noshing on Fritos.
Neonatal Care
After teetering on the brink of survival, twins Evan and Keira Kuznar, born prematurely, are now taking their first steps.
Marcellius Sears (age 9). Plays with a basketball at his house in Saginaw, MI. (prefers to be called Celli) Marcellius Sears was born with Idopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis. Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia performed a Bilateral Lung Transplant on November 16, 2007. (Bridget Barrett for USN&WR)
Respiratory Disorders
Marcellius Sears was once close to death due to a rare respiratory disease. Now he plays basketball.
Neurology and Neurosurgery
After he was diagnosed with a rare spinal tumor, Steven McDonough was told surgery would lead to paralysis. Now he's looking at a full recovery.
Deciphering America's Best Children's Hospitals
Nurse Cathy Williams examines young Austin King at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. (Bridget Barrett for USN&WR)
Methodology: Behind the Rankings
First we had to decide what data to collect--then we had to decide how to use it. Experts volunteered their help.
Glossary: Defining the Terms
The meaning of column headings like "nurse staffing" and "advanced technologies."
Bernadine Healy, M.D.
Seeking a Children's Surgeon? Just Ask
However fancy a surgeon’s reputation, every parent must ask: Am I ready to put my child’s life in his or her hands?
Pets for Young Kids: Does Exotic Mean Toxic?
Comments from our readers about whether pets are a danger to children.
An Outbreak of Hospital Infection Talk
How to reduce infection-related deaths is getting a whole lot of attention.
Genetic Blood Test for Down Syndrome? Not Yet
But there’s a risk-free, reliable method that’s already available.
Does Eating a Good School Lunch Make You Smarter?
Arthur Agatston, of South Beach diet fame, thinks good school nutrition programs raise math scores.
David Macaulay Tackles the Way We Work
The author/illustrator's newest book, out this week, features the human body.








