University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center secured the No. 1 position for best hospital in Iowa and ranked nationally in eight specialties, according to the 2024–25 “Best Hospitals” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report.
“This national recognition is a testament to the compassionate, high-quality care our teams provide, as well as UI Health Care’s unique value to the state,” said Dr. Denise Jamieson, UI vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “Our team members are passionately dedicated to advancing health care across Iowa and beyond through clinical care, research, and training. Iowans are fortunate to have a widely recognized and nationally respected academic health system right here in our state, so we can be there for them when they need us most.”
On a national level, UI Health Care ranked No. 6 for ophthalmology, No. 14 for ear, nose and throat, and No. 41 for cancer, according to the report.
The medical center also placed in the top 10% for its “high performing” specialties in cardiology, heart and vascular surgery; gastroenterology and GI surgery; orthopedics; pulmonology and lung surgery; and urology.
Measurement of patient outcomes forms the foundation of the Best Hospitals rankings, according to a UI Health Care release.
This year’s methodology includes Medicare Advantage data, doubling the patient records analyzed. Additional changes to this year’s rankings included review of internal hospital transfers, outpatient outcomes, observation stays, and adjustments to weight of rehabilitation and the rating of gynecological cancer, the release stated.