UT Southwestern named ‘Best Hospital’ in Dallas-Fort Worth

By Heather Svokos

UT Southwestern is the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth, second in Texas, and among the top 50 programs nationally in six clinical specialty areas, according to U.S. News & World Report. The rankings underscore the work of thousands of dedicated employees, physicians, and nurses who strive to provide the best possible care to patients through team-based medicine.

William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital (left) and Zale Lipshy University Hospital

“UT Southwestern is committed to delivering excellence in all that we do. It is gratifying to see recognition of the quality of care our patients receive as the result of the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and entire staff. I know that, rather than rankings, they are motivated to provide relief from suffering and the toll of disease and to return to good health those who come to us for help. In conjunction with innovative research and training the next generation of physicians, other caregivers, and scientists, we hope to advance health in this community and worldwide,” said Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, President of UT Southwestern.

The publication’s annual Best Hospital list, released Aug. 8, showed UT Southwestern ranked nationally in urology, geriatrics, diabetes and endocrinology, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology, and ear, nose, and throat.

“We are very proud of our results in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals report,” said Dr. John Warner, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, University Hospitals. “These reports have become increasingly founded on verifiable metrics and data, and those data reflect the improvements we have made in quality and service.

“Those improvements can be attributed to our outstanding providers and staff, who understand that everyone, regardless of title or position, has an important role to play in advancing our reputation for delivering high-quality care and an exceptional patient experience.”

Susan Hernandez, UT Southwestern Health System Chief Nurse Executive, said the recognition is a testament to the compassion and exceptional care that UT Southwestern’s employees provide.

 “Our multidisciplinary team works very hard to build on the gains we have already made in patient-centered care and clinical outcomes,” Ms. Hernandez said. “Being ranked the No. 1 hospital in DFW is in large part thanks to the skill, the passion, and commitment of our employees.”

The U.S. News announcement follows several other recognitions UT Southwestern has received so far this year, including a top 10 medical school ranking in primary care and top 25 ranking in research, a “Most Wired Hospital” recognition, and a trio of patient satisfaction awards.

The six specialty areas in which U.S. News & World Report ranked UT Southwestern nationally for 2017-2018 are:

  • No. 19: Urology
  • No. 24: Geriatrics
  • No. 25: Diabetes & Endocrinology
  • No. 38: Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • No. 39: Nephrology
  • No. 50: Ear, Nose & Throat

U.S. News & World Report also ranked UT Southwestern high-performing in the areas of cancer, gastroenterology and GI surgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology, as well as in the treatment areas of heart failure, colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For the 2017-2018 Best Hospital rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures, and conditions.

The U.S. News rankings build on several earlier recognitions of UT Southwestern’s excellence in clinical care and education:

  • In March, U.S. News & World Report ranked UT Southwestern Medical School in the top 10 in primary care and the top 25 in research.
  • In June, UT Southwestern’s emergency department, surgery services, and Outpatient Surgery Center were recognized with three Excellence in Healthcare Awards for excellence in patient care and satisfaction by national health care research leader Professional Research Consultants, Inc.
  • In July, UT Southwestern was named for a seventh consecutive year on HealthCare’s 2017 “Most Wired” list, which is distributed annually by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, the flagship publication of the American Hospital Association. The survey examines how organizations are leveraging IT to improve performance for value-based health care in the areas of infrastructure, business and administrative management; quality and safety; and clinical integration.