SALT LAKE CITY— The U.S. News & World Report 2020-2021 Best Hospitals Rankings have rated No. 1 in Utah and the Salt Lake City metro area for the seventh consecutive year. University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) ranked 41st in the country for cancer care, while the John A. Moran Eye Center ranked 13th in the country for ophthalmology care.
U.S. News evaluates the nation's top hospitals and 16 medical specialties annually. In addition to cancer and ophthalmology, U of U Health was listed in five "high performing" categories: gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery; nephrology; orthopedics; psychiatry; pulmonology and lung surgery.
"This national distinction belongs to our dedicated faculty and staff who strive for excellence in patient care every day," said Michael L. Good, M.D., CEO of U of U Health. "During the challenging time we're now in, this recognition is especially meaningful for our clinical teams who have worked so hard together to keep our community safe during the coronavirus pandemic."
HCI was ranked among the best cancer hospitals in the country among more than 4,000 medical centers evaluated. "We are honored to receive this ranking by U.S. News & World Report," said ., CEO of HCI. "Our community at Huntsman Cancer Institute is united toward improving the standard of care for cancer patients and their families. It is gratifying to see these efforts stand up against a rigorous analysis that affirms patients in Utah and the Mountain West have access to the best cancer care available in the country."
This is the first year U.S News & World Report has ranked the Moran Eye Center, long designated as high performing, on its published list of the top eye centers in the nation. The ophthalmology ranking is determined entirely by expert opinion, based on responses from three years of surveys of ophthalmologists.
"This ranking is difficult to attain for non-coastal institutions like ours and acknowledges our patients are receiving some of the best eye care in the country," said Moran CEO and Department of Ophthalmology Professor and Chair Randall J Olson, M.D.. "Our doctors, medical personnel, and staff all work together to provide hope, understanding, and treatment to each of our patients. That really makes all the difference."
The Best Hospitals rankings are based on measures such as risk-adjusted survival and discharge-to-home rates, volume, and quality of nursing, among other care-related indicators.
For the 2020-2021 rankings, U.S. News & World Report evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. In the 16 specialty areas, 152 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals as high performing across multiple areas of care.
The rankings for all hospitals and specialties are available at .