MINNEAPOLIS (July 7, 2006) – More is better, for the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. 

The medical center ranked among the top hospitals in the country in 11 specialties, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” edition. That means the medical center was ranked among the nation's top 50 hospitals in all of the specialties determined largely by hard data.  

Last year the hospital ranked among the best in 10 specialties.

“It’s terrific news for our patients, and it’s well-deserved,” said Gordon Alexander, M.D., president of the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.  “The fact that we continue to be recognized in more and more areas of expertise is a reflection of our talented staff and our clinical partners at the University of Minnesota who bring the best in research to the bedside.”

Once again, the hospital is in elite company.  The report says only 176 of 5,189 scored high enough to rank in any specialty.

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

Cancer, 29
Digestive Disorders, 45
Ear, Nose & Throat, 35
Endocrinology, 27
Gynecology, 49
Heart & Heart Surgery, 38
Kidney Disease, 19
Neurology & Neurosurgery, 28
Orthopedics, 27
Respiratory Disorders, 26
Urology, 41

U.S. News Methodology
Each year 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 11 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 nine of 18 technology-related procedures. This year’s special “Best Hospitals” edition hits newsstands July 10.