June 14, 2022

In yet another monumental achievement made possible through the hard work of our One Amazing Team and your commitment to every child and family we serve, Texas Children’s has earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report as the #2 children’s hospital in the country.

In addition to Texas Children’s historic rise to #2 in the overall list, the 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospital survey included Top 10 spots for every subspecialty:

  • #1 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery, in a testament to the cutting-edge treatments and family-centered care provided by the Heart Center for more than 60 years
  • #1 in Pulmonology
  • #2 in Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • #3 in Nephrology (kidney disorders)
  • #3 in Neonatology
  • #4 in Cancer
  • #4 in Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
  • #5 in Diabetes & Endocrinology
  • #5 in Urology
  • #8 in Orthopedics

Texas Children’s is also ranked as the #1 children’s hospital in Texas and #1 in the Southwest Region – rounding out the national honors in what President and CEO Mark A. Wallace called a “pivotal moment that reflected everything we’ve accomplished together this year.”

“These tremendous outcomes are the result of the steadfast leadership, unwavering dedication and sincere passion you have for Texas Children’s mission,” Wallace wrote in announcing the exciting news to the organization. “Our eight in-chiefs, our five executive vice presidents, our medical and administrative leaders, and our faculty and staff are without a doubt the greatest teams in our organization’s history.”

Reaching the top of the list

U.S. News & World Report introduced the Best Children’s Hospitals ranking in 2007 to help families of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses find the best medical care available. The rankings are the most comprehensive source of quality-related information on U.S. pediatric hospitals.

They rely on clinical data from nearly 200 medical centers through a detailed survey that analyzes measures, such as patient safety, infection prevention and adequacy of nurse staffing. In addition, each hospital’s score is derived from surveys of more than 15,000 pediatric specialists who are asked where they would send the sickest children in their specialty.

In 2021, only 89 children’s hospitals were ranked in at least one of the 10 pediatric specialties evaluated for the annual report. Ten hospitals ranked at the top of their class and were named to the 2022-2023 Honor Roll. For more information, visit usnews.com/childrenshospitals.

“Consistent collaboration, newfound discoveries and extraordinary patient care is what has brought us to where we are today. But we all know that for Texas Children’s, this is only the beginning of our bright future ahead,” Wallace said. “Let’s cherish and celebrate this moment – and then let’s gear up to climb even higher. I have no doubt that with this team, everything is possible!”

To read the full news release announcing Texas Children’s latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report, click here.

February 8, 2022

Newly released industry data places Texas Children’s Hospital No. 1 for heart, liver and lung transplants; No. 2 for kidney transplants in the United States

Texas Children’s Hospital leads the nation in pediatric transplants, as reported by the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN), the country’s unique public-private registry for organ matching.

The newly released OPTN data places the nation’s largest children’s hospital No. 1 for pediatric heart, liver and lung transplants, and No. 2 for pediatric kidney transplants in the United States.

In 2021, Texas Children’s Hospital Transplant Services successfully performed 118 transplants, outpacing all other children’s hospitals by more than 30 complex surgeries.

“This exceptional team has worked tirelessly to consistently improve care, develop new avenues, and have now ultimately paved the way for Texas Children’s to be the premier hospital for lifesaving transplant surgeries,” said Mark A. Wallace, President and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital. “The expertise and unwavering passion of every single member of this team is unlike any other. I am incredibly proud of all they’ve accomplished, and I know this is only the beginning.”

Last year, the Texas Children’s Hospital Transplant Services team achieved two first-in-the-nation milestones: its 2000th transplant patient, solidifying the program’s status as the highest volume pediatric transplant center in the United States for the fourth consecutive year; and its 500th pediatric heart transplant, a benchmark that highlights Texas Children’s world-class pediatric heart transplant program.

“The Texas Children’s Hospital Transplant Services team’s impressive volume of pediatric transplants is topped only by its success rate,” said Dr. Larry H. Hollier, Surgeon-in-Chief and Chair of the Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Surgery. “Among the highest in both the nation and the world, our pediatric transplant success rate underscores the Transplant Services team’s cutting-edge, leading position in the field.”

As the most active pediatric transplant center in the world, Texas Children’s Hospital possesses a depth of skill and service, both within the program and throughout the hospital, that allows for best-in-class care of newborns to young adults in need of heart, kidney, liver and lung transplants.

The staff offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach through all aspects of the transplant process, from initial referrals, which are accepted from around the world, to hospitalization and outpatient management. The pediatric transplant team – including transplant surgeons, immunologists, coordinators, dietitians, child life specialists, and social workers – works closely with patients, families and referring physicians to help make the evaluation process as convenient and efficient as possible.

Building on its record of excellence, the Texas Children’s Hospital’s Transplant Services team often accepts and achieves success with cases other programs may consider untreatable. For this reason, the Transplant Services team boasts an impressive list of firsts, including:

  • The first successful infant heart transplant in the United States;
  • The first pediatric lung-kidney transplant in the United States;
  • The hospital’s first – and one of only three in the nation – triple transplant of heart, lungs, and liver in one procedure.

“The real heroes in every transplant story are the selfless donors and their families,” said Dr. John A. Goss, Medical Director of Transplant Services at Texas Children’s Hospital. “As doctors, we are humbled and honored to witness the impact this incredible gift of life has on the lives of our pediatric transplant patients and their families.”

For more information about Texas Children’s Hospital Transplant Services, please visit https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/transplant-services.

June 15, 2021

Texas Children’s is now third nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospital rankings, and for the fifth consecutive year our Heart Center has been named the best place in the country for children in need of pediatric cardiology and heart surgery care.

A total of eight of Texas Children’s subspecialties are also ranked within the top five in the nation as announced by U.S. News. Texas Children’s is one of only 10 children’s hospitals across the country to achieve the Honor Roll designation, and the only hospital in the state of Texas awarded this distinction by ranking as one of America’s best in:

  • No. 1 – Cardiology & Heart Surgery
  • No. 2 – Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • No. 3 – Pulmonology
  • No. 3 – Nephrology (Kidney disorders)
  • No. 4 – Cancer
  • No. 4 – Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
  • No. 5 – Diabetes & Endocrinology
  • No. 5 – Urology
  • No. 11 – Neonatology
  • No. 11 – Orthopedics
Global leader in pediatric heart care

For more than 60 years, our integrated, multidisciplinary team at the Heart Center has combined cutting-edge technology with a compassionate and family-centered approach to care. Annually, more than 1,000 surgeries and 1,400 cardiac catheterization procedures are performed in Lester and Sue Smith Legacy Tower, the home of the Heart Center, where a team-based approach brings experts in every aspect of cardiac care to the bedside.

Heart Center cardiologists, congenital heart surgeons, cardiac anesthetists and cardiac intensivists are world-renowned leaders in the field and work together to treat some of the rarest and most complex heart cases from Houston, across Texas, the U.S. and around the world. The team strives to provide unparalleled care at every point from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, in order to achieve the best possible care for each patient.

Texas Children’s also recently opened a first-of-its-kind dedicated facility designed by and for adults with congenital heart disease. The 27,000-square-foot space includes a 16-bed inpatient unit, outpatient clinic, cardiac rehab gym, diagnostics lab and more. Our ACH Program is accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association and is one of only four accredited programs in Texas. As pediatric patients with congenital heart defects transition into adulthood, members of the team advise patients on health and lifestyle choices for their adult needs, including physical challenges, exercise options and family planning.

U.S. News ranking methodology

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. The rankings are the most comprehensive source of quality-related information on U.S. pediatric hospitals.

The U.S. News Best Children’s Hospitals rankings rely on clinical data and on an annual survey of pediatric specialists. The rankings methodology factors in patient outcomes, such as mortality and infection rates, as well as available clinical resources and compliance with best practices. For more information, click here.

September 1, 2020

Forbes released their Best Employers by State list for 2020, and Texas Children’s ranked #53 among the top 100 companies to work for in Texas.

“This is a tremendous testament to the culture that we have created at Texas Children’s. This recognition is the doing of our entire team – executives, in-chiefs, employees, and medical staff – as it is the work ethic and respect you all hold for one another that creates this positive working environment,” said Texas Children’ President and CEO Mark A. Wallace. “As you know more than anyone, this culture wasn’t created overnight but has been decades in the making, and I couldn’t be prouder of who we are and what we do.”

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to measure the leading employers around the country and the world by asking those in the best position: the workers. The list is divided into 51 rankings – one for each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia – and was compiled by surveying 80,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 500 employees. Participants across the country ranked organizations based on responses in several categories including recommended places to work, overall image, compensation and opportunity for advancement.

As you may recall, Texas Children’s Hospital was also recognized by Forbes last year as one of America’s best employers and ranked Texas Children’s No. 276 among the best 500 large companies in the nation; Texas Children’s was one of 25 health care organizations on the list, and one of only three in Texas and Houston. And in 2018 Texas Children’s was ranked No. 11 among the best 300 companies in the nation – and the best in Houston on its first-ever ranking of America’s best employers for women.

July 20, 2020

Texas Children’s Heart Center has once again been named the best place in the country for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery in the U.S. News and World Report 2020-2021 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings – the center’s fourth straight year at No. 1.

“We are incredibly proud to be named the best place in the country for children who are in need of pediatric cardiology and heart surgery,” said Chief of Pediatric Cardiology Dr. Daniel Penny. “Achieving this honor for the fourth consecutive year is a testament to our dedicated multidisciplinary team who works tirelessly to advance the field and provide the best care possible to our patients and their families. We don’t take this responsibility lightly, and these survey results only inspire us to work harder to be even better for our patients and each other every day.”

The U.S. News rankings use a well-accepted framework for evaluating quality of health care, which factors in patient outcomes, such as mortality and infection rates; available clinical resources, such as specialized clinics and programs and external accreditations; and compliance with best practices. Improved rankings demonstrate a health care organization’s commitment to not only providing high-quality care, but also to identifying gaps where improvements are needed.

This past year, the Heart Center built on the successes of previously existing programs and continued to excel in their outcomes metrics. One of those metrics was related to the center’s heart transplant survival ratio, which earned a top score for its one-year heart transplant survival ratio. The Heart Center continues as one of the busiest programs utilizing ventricular assist devices to support hearts that might need transplantation.

“Leading the field in transplantation and ventricular assist devices is important to ensure that we can provide expert care for the sickest patients,” said Dr. Christopher Caldarone, chief of Congenital Heart Surgery. “We are proud of our teams that keep us at the forefront of medical care. This comes about by maintain a culture focused on continuous improvement. We constantly measure our performance and drive for better outcomes. Quite simply, we never rest.”

Other notable initiatives include:

Public reporting of Heart Center outcomes
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) is a national leader in health care transparency and accountability and publishes outcomes from congenital heart surgery programs across the country. The members of the Heart Center strongly believe that transparent reporting of outcomes after congenital heart surgery is important to insure that patients and families are well-informed with accurate information to help make informed health care decisions. The STS database publishes risk-adjusted outcomes on its public website and the Heart Center at Texas Children’s Hospital has adjusted operative mortality rates that are among the best reported.

International collaboration to monitor outcomes in the catheterization laboratory
In partnership with clinical and physician leadership, the Heart Center’s Cardiac Catheterization Labs implemented processes to submit metrics on all catheterization procedures included in the American College of Cardiology’s IMPACT Registry®. This national register collects quality-focused data on the management and outcomes of pediatric and adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients who undergo diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures. The registry also allows Heart Center leadership to compare performance against a national aggregate for quality improvement initiatives.

Expertise to provide care for every patient
The Heart Center provides excellent care for patients with all types of congenital heart disease. From simple to complex problems, the Heart Center has expertise in every field. We have specialists that can provide interventions for babies before they are born and throughout infancy, childhood, and all of adulthood. The Heart Center can provide expert care for all aspects of congenital heart disease.

Continued dedication to Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
Texas Children’s ACHD Program allows patients with congenital heart disease to receive seamless continuity of care from birth throughout adulthood. As pediatric patients with congenital heart defects transition into adulthood, the program’s multidisciplinary team of experienced congenital heart disease specialists advises them on health and lifestyle choices for their adult needs, including physical challenges, exercise options and family planning. The program offers comprehensive medical and surgical care in collaboration with colleagues at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women® and Texas Children’s Fetal Center®. The hospital’s ACHD Program is accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) and is one of only three accredited programs in Texas.

Learn more about the Heart Center, its services, and volume and outcomes.

June 16, 2020

The 2020 U.S. News & World Report survey of Best Children’s Hospitals was released this morning and Texas Children’s is again one of the best in the nation. I am excited to share with you that Texas Children’s ranked fourth place among all children’s hospitals nationally.

Seven of Texas Children’s specialties are ranked in the top 5 this year, and 9 are in the top 10. Cardiology and Congenital Heart Surgery ranked No. 1 in the nation for the fourth straight year in a row, and Neurology and Neurosurgery moved up from No. 3 to No. 2, which is an amazing feat.

The scores this year were exceptionally tight among the top children’s hospitals, and here are a few highlights of this year’s biggest wins across the system:

  • We received maximum scores for all system-wide structure and process metrics.
  • We achieved maximum points for our collaborative efforts on infection prevention.
  • We exceeded our T-dap and flu immunization compliance threshold, which was increased to 95 percent.
  • We exceeded the new threshold for number of infection preventionists per 100 beds.

Dr. Jim Versalovic and Dr. Larry Hollier have demonstrated exceptional leadership over their departments, and all of our chiefs of service have worked tirelessly to ensure their respective specialties excelled in this year’s rankings — Dr. Paul Austin, Dr. Susan Blaney, Dr. Michael Braun, Dr. Christopher Caldarone, Dr. Gary Clark, Dr. Peter Hiatt, Dr. Daniel Penny, Dr. Benjamin Shneider, Dr. Brian Smith, Dr. Rona Sonabend, Dr. Gautham Suresh and Dr. Howard Weiner. Please join me in thanking our medical leaders for their hard work and dedication.

Our entire list of 2020 U.S. News rankings include:

#1 Cardiology and Congenital Heart Surgery
#2 Neurology and Neurosurgery
#2 Nephrology
#3 Pulmonology
#4 Cancer
#4 Gastroenterology and GI surgery
#5 Diabetes and Endocrinology
#6 Urology
#10 Neonatology
#15 Orthopedics

The rankings methodology weighs advanced technology, best practices, credentialing, infection prevention, nursing care, outcomes and reputation. The more consistently we deliver high quality care and the safer we deliver that care to our patients, the better their outcomes are, and the better our overall numbers are.

The results also reflect the efforts of our team and their steadfast focus on the U.S. News survey. Compiling and refining our data is a continuous process and, with the support of our medical staff, in-chiefs, service chiefs, as well as Mark Mullarkey, Trudy Leidich, Elizabeth Pham and the entire Quality team, we have again excelled this year.

I hope you are all as proud as I am of this remarkable accomplishment. These results, combined with the resiliency you have all shown over these past few months, exemplify why Texas Children’s is the best pediatric hospital in Texas. Thank you for your commitment and leadership. It takes all of you to be ranked one of the nation’s best.

This year’s rankings will be available online at usnews.com/childrenshospitals. You can learn more about Texas Children’s rankings here.