University of Colorado Cancer Center among the best in cancer care

The University of Colorado Cancer Center’s clinical partner, the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) again ranks as the best hospital in the state, according to U.S. News Best Hospitals report.

UCH ranked in nine specialties which means the hospital is among the best in the United States in those specialties. Services for cancer survivors are ranked 15th in the country up from 23rd in 2013. The annual U.S. News rankings, now in their 25th year, analyze nearly 5,000 hospitals to recognize those that excel in treating the most challenging patients.

“The latest U.S News rankings confirm what we at CU Cancer Center already know – the cancer care at UCH is the best in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region and among the best in the nation” said Dan Theodorescu, M.D., Ph.D., CU Cancer Center director and professor of urology and pharmacology. “As Colorado’s only comprehensive cancer center, as designated by the National Cancer Institute, our clinical partners such as UCH are helping us provide state of the art care for patients as well as realize our goal of translating science into life through our large portfolio of clinical trials.”

In addition to cancer, UCH is nationally ranked in these specialties:

• Pulmonology (2)
• Kidney disorders (18)
• Gynecology (19)
• Diabetes & Endocrinology (34)
• Urology (35)
• Neurology & Neurosurgery (40)
• Orthopedics (45)
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (46)

U.S. News recognized UCH in three other “high performing” specialties:

• Cardiology & Heart Surgery
• Ear Nose & Throat
• Geriatrics

“While it’s an honor to be named the best in Colorado and one of the best hospitals nationwide in so many specialties, our true reward is caring for our patients,” said UCH CEO John Harney. “Improving their lives is why doctors, nurses and staff members entered health care, and the thank-you notes they send us are truly the top honors we receive.”

UCH is the academic medical center of University of Colorado Health (UCHealth), a nonprofit health care system that includes five hospitals and dozens of clinics throughout Colorado. U.S. News recognized partners Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins and Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland as tied at the No. 7 best hospitals in the state.

“The UCHealth system of hospitals and clinics is focused on providing the very best care for our patients. This includes providing the latest treatments, increasing patient safety, and increasing quality,” said Bill Neff, M.D., UCHealth interim CEO. “The result of this commitment is excellent survival rates and improved health of our communities. This and other recognitions recognize these results and inspire us to provide even better care.”

UCH has been ranked by U.S. News for 20 consecutive years and is among only a handful of hospitals in the nation to rank nationally in multiple specialties. Best Hospitals was created to identify hospitals exceptionally skilled in handling the most difficult cases, and the rankings are driven mostly by objective data including survival rates and patient safety.

UCH shares the honor of having the country’s 2nd best respiratory care with National Jewish Health. For the full list of Colorado hospital rankings visit www.usnews.com/hospitals.