SHANDS AT UF RANKED AMONG 'BEST HOSPITALS' IN AMERICA
Shands at the University of Florida has once again been named one of America's premier medical centers, according to a 2007 list of the nation's most elite health-care facilities compiled by US News & World Report in its "Best Hospitals" issue of July 16th. Seven Shands specialties were ranked among the top 50 this year, bolstering the hospital's status as a "center of excellence" and billing Shands as the prime place in Florida for patients to mend broken hearts, breathe easier and age more gracefully.
Nearly 5,500 hospitals across the nation were considered for positions on the magazine's annual list, but Shands at UF-the primary teaching hospital for UF College of Medicine faculty-was one of just 173 hospitals to make the final cut. The rankings are based on the use of sophisticated technology, the number of patients assigned to each nurse and the number of people admitted and successfully released. The score also considers the hospital's reputation among board-certified physicians in each of 16 medical specialties. Pediatric ratings are calculated separately and will be released in the Sept. 3 issue.
Shands at UF placed in seven of the specialty areas, earning a spot at No. 20 for its expertise in respiratory medicine. Close behind were ear, nose and throat medicine at No. 23 and geriatrics at No. 27. Specialists in urology, heart, kidney disease, and gynecology were also ranked in the top 50.
"A big part of this ranking is how well we are known," said Marco Pahor, M.D., director of UF's Institute on Aging and chairman of the College of Medicine's department of aging and geriatrics, which was recommended by more board-certified physicians than any other Shands specialty. "This is an important first step. We have achieved major accomplishments in aging and we will strive to continue improving our patient-oriented care."
Shands was ranked the top Florida hospital for geriatric, heart, kidney, respiratory and urology care.
