UMC Ranked Among Nation's Top Hospitals in 10 Separate Medical Specialties

University Medical Center is among the nation's best hospitals for 10 areas of specialty medical care, according to U.S. News and World Report's annual guide to "America's Best Hospitals."

U.S. News, in conjunction with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), objectively assesses hospital care for 17 specialties at more than 1,800 hospitals nationwide. The publication then ranks the top 50 hospitals in the nation in those 17 specialties. Rankings are based on reputation and various medical data.

In the publication, which hits newsstands today, University Medical Center is ranked as follows for specific areas of specialty care:

• 25th Heart
  
  
• 28th Gynecology
  
  
• 20th Cancer
  
  
• 34th Rheumatology
  
  
• 37th Neurology and Neurosurgery
  
  
• 38th Geriatrics
  
  
• 38th Respiratory disorders
  
  
• 42nd Kidney disease
  
  
• 42nd Urology
  
  
• 44th Orthopedics
  

UMC opened in 1971 and has achieved recognition as one of our nation's best hospitals. Widely known for its innovative surgical programs and award-winning patient care services, as well as for serving as a regional resource for health care and education, UMC provides advanced treatments on an inpatient and outpatient basis in more than 70 specialty areas. The first heart transplant in Arizona took place at UMC in 1979 and since then the hospital has become the region's only comprehensive transplantation center. UMC also is a world leader in the study of the artificial heart.

"University Medical Center receives this recognition because of the people who strive to make a difference, the physicians, the scientists, the nurses, the staff; everyone at UMC believes in doing their utmost to better the lives of people living in the Southwest," says Greg Pivirotto, UMC president and CEO.

UMC is part of the Arizona Health Sciences Center (AHSC), which includes the UA colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health, and the School of Health Professions.

UMC also is affiliated with AHSC's "Centers of Excellence," including the Arizona Arthritis Center, the Arizona Cancer Center, the Arizona Respiratory Center, the UA Sarver Heart Center and the Arizona Center on Aging, among others.

These centers have gained international recognition for their academic, research and clinical activities and have played a key role in University Medical Center's international recognition. For example:
Established in 1976, the Arizona Cancer Center is part of a select, prestigious network of comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. Its internationally recognized team of medical professionals and scientists studies how cancer starts, how to improve treatments and what can be done to prevent it.

The UA Sarver Heart Center was established in 1986 and is dedicated to the prevention and cure of heart and vascular disease through research, patient care and education. With more than 100 members throughout the state, the UA Sarver Heart Center conducts more than 90 percent of cardiovascular research done in Arizona.

The Arizona Respiratory Center, AHSC's first Center of Excellence, is dedicated to helping those with chronic diseases such as asthma and emphysema live healthier lives. During the past 30 years it has become one of our nation's leading sources of research to better understand and treat respiratory diseases.

The Arizona Arthritis Center is dedicated to biomedical research into the causes and treatments of the more than 100 forms of arthritis. The Center's researchers and clinical scientists are committed to understanding the ways arthritis and connective tissue diseases start and progress, in hopes that individuals with arthritis can lead healthier lives.

The Arizona Center on Aging aims to improve the quality of life of older persons through programs in geriatric care, gerontological research and professional and community education.