Some hospitals are more expert than others in caring for patients with life-threatening or rare conditions. And people facing such health challenges need every bit of help they can get. That's why U.S. News & World Report has published annual rankings of the nation's Best Hospitals for the last quarter-century.
The 2014-15 rankings cover nearly 5,000 medical centers across the country and span 16 medical specialties from cancer to urology. Hospitals with very high scores in at least six specialties earned a spot on the Honor Roll. Just 17 hospitals made this year's list.
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For the first time, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, claimed the No. 1 Honor Roll spot, barely edging out Massachusetts General Hospital. Johns Hopkins Hospital, which in 2012 lost a 21-year first-place reign, was No. 3.
The 2014-15 Honor Roll:
17. Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University
Courtesy of Barnes Jewish Hospital/Washington University
Location: St. LouisHonor Roll Points: 9Highest rankings: Pulmonology (#9), Nephrology (#11), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#11), Urology (#11), Ophthalmology (#12).Honor Roll rank last year: 15See all of this hospital's rankings.
16. Mount Sinai Hospital
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ny/mount-sinai-medical-center-6213140
Location: New YorkHonor Roll Points: 10Highest rankings: Geriatrics (#2); Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#9); Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#10); Ear, Nose & Throat (#10). Honor Roll rank last year: Was not on Honor Roll. See all of this hospital's rankings.
15. NYU Langone Medical Center
Karsten Moran
Location: New YorkHonor Roll Points: 10Highest rankings: Orthopedics (#4), Rheumatology (#6), Geriatrics (#8), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#8). Honor Roll rank last year: 14See all of this hospital's rankings.
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14. Duke University Hospital
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/duke-university-medical-center-6360355
Location:Durham, North CarolinaHonor Roll Points: 11Highest rankings: Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#4), Pulmonology (#5), Ophthalmology (#6).Honor Roll rank last year: 12See all of this hospital’s rankings.
12. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Courtesy of UPMC
Location: PittsburghHonor Roll Points: 11Highest rankings: Ear, Nose & Throat (#7); Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#7); Rheumatology (#9).Honor Roll rank last year: 10See all of this hospital's rankings.
12. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Courtesy of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Location:Los AngelesHonor Roll Points: 11 Highest rankings: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#6), Orthopedics (#7), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#8). Honor Roll rank last year: 13See all of this hospital's rankings.
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11. University of Washington Medical Center
University of Washington Medical Center
Location:SeattleHonor Roll Points: 12Highest rankings: Rehabilitation (#4), Cancer (#6), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#10). Honor Roll rank last year: Was not on Honor Roll. See all of this hospital's rankings.
10. Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Courtesy of Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Location:ChicagoHonor Roll Points: 13Highest rankings: Diabetes & Endocrinology (#8), Urology (#9), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#10). Honor Roll rank last year: 6See all of this hospital’s rankings.
9. Brigham and Women's Hospital
Courtesy of BWH
Location:BostonHonor Roll Points: 15Highest rankings: Gynecology (#2), Cancer (#4), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#5), Nephrology (#5), Rheumatology (#5). Honor Roll rank last year: 9See all of this hospital's rankings.
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8. UCSF Medical Center
Courtesy of UCSF Medical Center
Location:San FranciscoHonor Roll Points: 17Highest rankings: Nephrology (#4), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#5), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#5). Honor Roll rank last year: 7 (tie with New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell)See all of this hospital's rankings.
7. Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian
Penn Medicine
Location: PhiladelphiaHonor Roll Points: 19Highest rankings: Ear, Nose & Throat (#3); Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#7); Pulmonology (#7). Honor Roll rank last year: 11See all of this hospital’s rankings.
6. New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell
Carlos Rene Perez
Location:New YorkHonor Roll Points: 22Highest rankings: Psychiatry (#2), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#2), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#3), Rheumatology (#3), Nephrology (#3).Honor Roll rank last year: 7 (tie with UCSF Medical Center)See all of this hospital’s rankings.
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5. UCLA Medical Center
Benny Chan
Location: Los AngelesHonor Roll Points: 23Highest rankings: Geriatrics (#3), Urology (#4), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#5), Ophthalmology (#5). Honor Roll rank last year: 5See all of this hospital's rankings.
4. Cleveland Clinic
Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic
Location: ClevelandHonor Roll Points: 26Highest rankings: Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#1), Urology (#1), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#2), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#2), Nephrology (#2), Rheumatology (#2). Honor Roll rank last year: 4See all of this hospital’s rankings.
3. Johns Hopkins Hospital
Courtesy of Johns Hopkins Hospital
Location:BaltimoreHonor Roll Points: 26Highest rankings: Rheumatology (#1); Ear, Nose & Throat (#2); Neurology & Neurosurgery (#3), Urology (#3); Ophthalmology (#3); Psychiatry (#3). Honor Roll rank last year: 1See all of this hospital’s rankings.
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2. Massachusetts General Hospital
Courtesy of Massachusetts General Hospital
Location: BostonHonor Roll Points: 28Highest rankings: Psychiatry (#1), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#3), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#3). Honor Roll rank last year: 2See all of this hospital’s rankings.
1. Mayo Clinic
Courtesy of MFMER
Location: Rochester, Minnesota Honor Roll Points: 29Highest rankings: Diabetes & Endocrinology (#1); Ear, Nose & Throat (#1); Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#1); Geriatrics (#1); Gynecology (#1); Nephrology (#1); Neurology & Neurosurgery (#1); Pulmonology (#1).Honor Roll rank last year: 3See all of this hospital’s rankings.
More from U.S. News: Advice for Hospital Patients:
FAQ: How We Ranked the Best Hospitals 2014-15
12 Questions to Ask Before Discharge
You’ve Been Discharged. Now What?
How to Read Your Hospital Bill