Clinical Care
UHealth’s Commitment to Exceptional Patient Care Fuels Historic Rise in U.S. News Rankings
By: Monica Smith | August 04, 2026 | 9 min. read |
Bascom Palmer earns its 25th No. 1 ranking, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center rises to No. 1 in Florida, No. 23 nationally, and UHealth records its strongest U.S. News & World Report performance to date
The 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings reflect UHealth—University of Miami Health System’s laser-focused commitment to quality and place UHealth among elite academic health systems in the U.S., with five or more nationally ranked programs in highly skilled specialties
UHealth achieved its strongest performance to date, with ophthalmology, cancer, neurology/neurosurgery, geriatrics and cardiovascular medicine earning national ranking and 17 procedures and conditions earning high-performing designation
The Continuous Improvement Journey
One year ago, Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, stepped into the role of chief executive officer of UHealth with a vision to accelerate the institution’s rise as a leading academic health system
For more than six years, UHealth has operated with a culture of continuous improvement, a discipline Dr. Parekh has helped shape in his previous roles as chief operating officer and, before that, chief clinical officer, working alongside the physicians, nurses, researchers and staff who carry it out every day. From earning Magnet with Distinction® recognition for nursing excellence to expanding access to specialized care, advancing research programs, investing in facilities and technology and strengthening quality and safety measures, the work has been steady and shared. It built the foundation for the results being recognized now.
“Our physicians, nurses and staff deserve every bit of this recognition, and we will celebrate it today knowing that our work is not done. What is being recognized is a standard of excellence we set long before anyone outside was measuring it, which is the quality of the care each patient receives, the research that drives innovations forward and the education that powers the next generation of medicine. That is what we hold ourselves to, and it is what we will continue to build on,” said Dr. Parekh.
Kymberlee Manni, Ph.D., CEO of University of Miami Hospital and Clinics, agrees
“It’s about creating a system that consistently delivers excellent outcomes, minimizes complications, prioritizes patient safety and provides a positive experience for every patient,” she said. “That is what we’ve done.”
Ranked Across Specialties
Five specialties earned national ranking, and the depth extends well beyond them
• Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: No. 1 in the nation for ophthalmology for the 25th year
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center: No. 1 cancer program in Florida, No. 23 in the nation
• Neurology/Neurosurgery: Top 15 in the nation
• Geriatrics: Top 20 in the nation
• Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Surgery: Enters the Top 50 in the nation
Five specialties received a high-performing ranking, placing them in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide: Urology,Diabetes and Endocrinology,Gastroenterology and GI Surgery,Orthopaedics and Pulmonology and Lung Surgery
“These results are really years in the making, with an intense focus on consistently delivering high-quality care,” said Tanira Ferreira, M.D., chief medical officer of University of Miami Hospital and Clinics and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. “It demonstrates that we’re thriving and continuing to grow.”
A Legacy of Excellence Continues
For the 25th year, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the nation’s No. 1 ophthalmology program. Bascom Palmer’s multidisciplinary research program spans basic science, clinical innovation and partnerships that continue to shape the future of ophthalmology
The No. 1 ranking represents one of the longest-running streaks of excellence in American medicine and reflects a quarter-century of leadership in vision care, scientific innovation and education
This isn’t UHealth’s only major gain in 2026’s rankings. Neurology/neurosurgery is No. 14 in the nation (up from 23). The division has more than 70 renowned research and clinical faculty in most of the neurological sub-specialties. Together with UHealth’s expert neurosurgeons and large case volume, physicians are versed in neurocritical care. UHealth also has one of the only neuropsychology programs in South Florida
Confirmed National Leader in Cancer Care
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth, achieved its most significant advance, climbing to No. 23 in the U.S. in cancer care after being named No. 45 last year. Sylvester earned distinction as the No. 1 cancer program in Florida
As the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Florida, Sylvester unites scientific findings, clinical research and patient care. Its academic Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program, the only one of its kind in South Florida, gives patients access to new therapies at the earliest stages of development, up to a decade before they become widely available as the standard of treatment
Ryan Goepel came to Sylvester after being told he had few options left. He was eligible for the final available spot in one of those trials, and within a month of being told to prepare for hospice, he was in remission. He remains in remission today
“I went from hospice to cured in a month, which just doesn’t happen,” said Goepel
The opening of the 12-story Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building in 2025 doubled Sylvester’s research space and brought researchers, clinicians and data experts together to accelerate translational research and improve patient outcomes
Academic Medicine in Action
UM is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of 71 leading research universities (69 in the United States and two in Canada). That distinction places UM among a small share, only 3%, of four-year universities in the U.S
“Academic health systems are uniquely positioned to transform discoveries into better care for patients,” said Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Medicine and chief medical officer of ambulatory services. “At UHealth, clinicians, scientists, educators and trainees work together across disciplines to solve complex medical challenges. The breadth of recognition reflected in these rankings demonstrates the power of that collaboration and our commitment to advancing health throughout South Florida and beyond.”
Amanda Sifford is one example of what that looks like. She carries a rare SOD1 genetic mutation and has watched more than a dozen family members lose their lives to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). When the FDA approved a targeted therapy for SOD1-associated ALS, UHealth was among the first institutions in the nation to offer it and built a dedicated clinic around it, drawing on decades of ALS research at the Miller School. After several months of treatment, Sifford’s breathing improved enough that she could dance with friends again.
A Higher Level of Care in Florida
Collectively, the rankings underscore a health system with the breadth and depth to support people with serious illnesses, from diagnosis and treatment to recovery and long-term management
The new rankings further highlight the strength of UHealth’s longstanding relationship with Jackson Health System, an essential partner with a shared mission to improve the health of our community. The Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial Hospital earned placement at No. 15 nationally and No. 1 in Florida
Jointly, UHealth and Jackson Health provide services that span prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery for those with intricate medical needs
These achievements show that UHealth’s rise is being driven by multiple recognized programs working across a collaborative continuum of care
“We are proud of what these results say about our progress, but our focus remains on what comes next,” said Dr. Parekh. “We will continue investing in people, innovation and specialized care so that more people can benefit from the highest level of treatment.”
Tags:Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Best Hospitals rankings, Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center, Dean Henri Ford, Department of Neurological Surgery, Department of Neurology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Neuropsychology, Dr. Dipen Parekh, Dr. Roy Weiss, Dr. Stephen Nimer, Dr. Tanira Ferreira, geriatric medicine, Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building, neurological surgery, neurology, Newsroom, ophthalmology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, U.S. News & World Report, USNWR27
