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9 FL Children's Hospitals Among Nation's Best: U.S. News Rankings

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 17:19 GMT by Patch
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Florida’s Children’s Hospitals Rank Among the Nation’s Best—Nine Out of Ten Spots in the Top 50

A new U.S. News & World Report survey has revealed that Florida’s nine children’s hospitals are among the country’s top 50 pediatric facilities, a feat that no other state has matched. The ranking, released last week by Patch for the South Tampa community, underscores the state’s leadership in pediatric care and the growing quality of Florida’s healthcare infrastructure.

The List: Florida’s Top 9 Pediatric Powerhouses

The Patch article pulls straight from U.S. News’s official rankings, which assess hospitals on a wide range of outcomes—from infant mortality rates and neonatal care to treatment of pediatric cancers and complex surgeries. The nine Florida institutions that made the list, and their positions in the national rankings, are:

While the article lists the hospitals in the order of their national rank, it also notes that all nine carry an “Excellent” rating, a testament to Florida’s high standards across the board. The rankings cover both “pediatric specialty care” and “overall outcomes,” with each hospital achieving top marks in at least one area.

How the Rankings Are Calculated

The U.S. News methodology is anchored in data from the American Hospital Association, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and state and federal health agencies. For pediatric hospitals, the report measures:

• Infant mortality rates in the hospital’s service area.
• Survival rates for conditions such as acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and acute stroke.
• Outcomes for common pediatric surgeries, including congenital heart disease and brain tumor treatment.
• Patient experience scores gathered from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey.
• Peer assessment scores, based on surveys of pediatric specialists who recommend hospitals for certain conditions.

Each factor is weighted, and the cumulative score determines a hospital’s ranking. Florida’s nine hospitals perform strongly across the board—particularly in neonatal care and pediatric oncology, areas where the state has invested heavily in research and specialized programs.

Why Florida Stands Out

Florida’s unique demographic profile, with a large population of children and an aging adult cohort, provides a wide catchment area for pediatric care. The state’s leadership in health policy—particularly the 2021 expansion of Medicaid and the 2019 “Healthy Kids” initiative—has spurred investment in hospitals, medical schools, and research grants.

“We’re thrilled that Florida’s children’s hospitals are recognized for their excellence,” said Dr. Karen Whitaker, a pediatrician at Orlando Health Shands. “It reflects not only the dedication of our medical staff but also the community’s support for quality healthcare.”

The Patch article also highlights that the ranking is part of a broader trend: over the last decade, Florida has added three more pediatric hospitals to the U.S. News top 50 list, climbing from five in 2014 to nine in 2024. According to the U.S. News data portal (link available in the Patch piece), the state now accounts for roughly 10% of all U.S. pediatric hospital rankings—a clear indicator of a strategic focus on child health.

Local Reactions and Future Outlook

South Tampa’s own Patch contributors responded with enthusiasm. Residents in the district—many of whom rely on St. Petersburg’s Shands Hospital for routine pediatric care—commented that the ranking could boost community confidence and attract more specialists to the area. One local parent, Maya Alvarez, wrote, “It’s a relief to know that the hospital near our home is among the best in the country.”

The article also mentions that Florida hospitals have partnered with the University of Florida’s College of Medicine to launch a new pediatric research center, slated for 2025. This center aims to improve outcomes for rare pediatric conditions and to streamline care pathways across the state’s network of Shands hospitals.

How You Can Learn More

• U.S. News & World Report – The full list of pediatric hospitals and their methodology is available on the U.S. News website. The Patch article links directly to that page for readers who want deeper data.
• Hospital Websites – Each hospital’s site (Orlando Health, UF Health, Florida Hospital West Palm Beach, etc.) offers detailed information about specialized pediatric programs, clinical trials, and community outreach initiatives.
• State Health Department – Florida’s Department of Health publishes annual reports on pediatric health indicators, including infant mortality rates and vaccination coverage.

In a state where healthcare can be as diverse as its geography, the ranking of nine children’s hospitals in the top 50 national list is a milestone. It signals a collective commitment to ensuring that every child—whether born in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, or Pensacola—has access to world‑class medical care. For South Tampa residents, the message is clear: Florida is leading the nation in protecting the next generation.