It’s an elite distinction that only 16% of evaluated hospitals receive: a U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals designation. 

This year, the publication evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide to develop their annual list of Best Hospitals. They look at things like risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, patient experience, and level of nursing care in developing these rankings. Once again, Nebraska Medical Center is the No. 1-rated hospital in the state of Nebraska and the Omaha metro area. In addition, our cancer and gastroenterology and GI surgery programs both achieved national rankings, placing them in the top 50 nationally. Two other specialties were listed as high performing:

• Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Pulmonology and Lung Surgery

Eleven procedures and conditions were rated as high performing, the highest ranking possible:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
• Back surgery
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Colon cancer surgery
• Gynecological cancer surgery
• Heart arrhythmia
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma
• Pneumonia
• Stroke

“Earning the distinction of Nebraska’s top-ranked hospital year after year, along with national recognition for our cancer and GI programs, is a testament to the talent, compassion, and commitment of our colleagues,” says Michael Ash, MD, Nebraska Medicine CEO. “While we are proud of this recognition, what matters most is what it means for our patients. It reflects our unwavering focus on delivering safe, high-quality care and achieving the best possible outcomes for the people and communities we serve.”

The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care. 

“Earning a national ranking reflects the extraordinary work happening every day at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center,” says Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “As Nebraska’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, this recognition highlights the strength of our multidisciplinary teams, our commitment to groundbreaking research and clinical trials, and our focus on delivering the most advanced, compassionate cancer care possible. Most importantly, it shows patients and families they can access world-class cancer care right here in Nebraska.”

“A hospital named among the U.S. News Best Hospitals has demonstrated its commitment to high-quality care, especially in achieving successful outcomes for patients,” says U.S. News’ Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder. “A Best Hospitals recognition reflects consistent top-tier medical care to its community.”