MINNEAPOLIS (July 12, 2007) – Among the best, and getting better. University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview posted higher rankings in this year’s U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” edition.

The medical center ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the country in nine medical specialties, according to U.S. News.

In eight of the nine specialties the medical center improved on its rankings over last year.

For example, last year it ranked 45th in digestive disorders; this year it ranked 22nd. For kidney disease, the medical center improved from 19th to 17th.

“We’re so proud of all of our caregivers—year in and year out they dedicate themselves to delivering the best care possible for their patients and it shows in these scores,” said Gordon Alexander, M.D., president of the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. “Credit also goes to our clinical partners at the University of Minnesota, who bring leading-edge research to the bedside.”

Once again, the hospital is in elite company. The report says out of 5,462 hospitals evaluated, only 173 met the standard of treating a variety of demanding illnesses and procedures within a specialty.

This year, the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview is ranked among the top 50 medical institutions in the country the following specialties (followed by ranking):

Cancer, 24

Digestive Disorders, 22

Ear, Nose & Throat, 27

Endocrinology, 20

Gynecology, 29

Heart & Heart Surgery, 31

Kidney Disease, 17

Neurology & Neurosurgery, 20

Respiratory Disorders, 29

U.S. News Methodology

Each year the U.S. News & World Report ranks the nation’s best hospitals according to criteria based in part on reputation, death rate and care-related factors like nursing and patient services. For consideration in 12 of the 16 categories, hospitals first had to meet at least one of three requirements: be a member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals, be affiliated with a medical school or perform at least six of 13 technology-related procedures. Three quarters of the hospitals failed this initial test. This year’s U.S. & World Report “Best Hospitals” edition hits newsstands Monday, July 16.