Contact: Jessica Salazar
Phone: (816) 346-1346
E-mail: Jmsalazar@cmh.edu

Children’s Mercy specialties nationally ranked by US News magazine

In its first ranking of children's hospital specialties, US News and World Report has placed Children's Mercy among the top programs in the country.

US News, in its Best Children's Hospital issue online beginning May 31 and on newsstands June 2, ranked Children's Mercy number 17 for pediatric digestive disorders and number 26 for neonatal care.

"We have long known we provide the region's top quality, child-focused medical care," says Randall L. O'Donnell, president and CEO of Children's Mercy. "The US News report provides evidence that we're one of the best America has to offer."

In previous years, US News ranked children's hospitals based solely on reputation for an overall "best children's hospital" ranking. This year, for the first time, the magazine used a detailed statistical survey offered to every member of the National Association of Children's Hospitals (and a few others) and chose to rank hospitals by seven specialties. There is no "best" ranking overall. Reputation still played a significant part in the rankings; 50 to 60 percent, depending on the specialty.

In all, 113 hospitals responded to the survey.

"Very sick kids need very special care," said Senior Writer Avery Comarow, who has been editor of the America's Best Hospitals and America's Best Children's Hospitals annual rankings since their inception. "The best places for them are pediatric facilities with a deep pool of expertise in their particular illness. Breaking out key specialties is crucial to help parents and other caregivers find these facilities."

Children's Mercy is no stranger to national rankings. The hospital has been ranked as one of the top overall best children's hospitals by Child magazine for the past dozen years. In its every-other-year survey published in 2007, in addition to being ranked overall, Children's Mercy emergency room services were ranked in the top five nationally.

"While it is great to be recognized for our excellent care, our work is not done," Dr. O'Donnell says. "We are committed to providing the finest medical care possible and to take our place as the best children's hospital in the world."