UC San Diego Health No. 1 in San Diego, Specialty Care Nationally Ranked

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UC San Diego Health has once again secured the No. 1 ranking in San Diego, according to the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" survey alongside top national rankings for nine specialties.

“Patients rely on the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings because they’re based on nationally collected data that reflect real-world outcomes—like patient safety, quality of care, and clinical performance,” said Patty Maysent, chief executive officer at UC San Diego Health. “UC San Diego Health’s results show what’s possible when leading medical experts with access to the latest in medical science collaborate with highly skilled care teams, supported by the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies—all in environments intentionally designed around the needs of our patients.”

“Being named No. 1 in the region for the sixth consecutive year highlights the dedication of our physicians, nurses, researchers and support teams working side by side every day to deliver the best possible patient care," said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. "Together, we are driving medicine forward through investment in groundbreaking research applied to making a real difference in the lives of our patients and community."

The 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" survey evaluated more than 4,400 hospitals across 15 adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions; only 13% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals designation. Among these, UC San Diego Health achieved national recognition in nine specialties.

• Obstetrics & Gynecology (7)
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery (8)
• Geriatrics (18)
• Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery (27)
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (28)
• Neurology & Neurosurgery (28)
• Diabetes & Endocrinology (32)
• Cancer (41)
• Urology (46)

In addition to its specialty rankings, UC San Diego Health is rated as "high performing" in 20 common procedures and conditions, which cover a full spectrum of care from heart procedures and stroke care to cancer and orthopedic surgeries.

"We are so proud of this recognition that highlights the extraordinary compassion, skill, and dedication this team brings to patients every day,” said Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, chair and professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine and perinatologist at UC San Diego Health, “Our specialty care teams truly push the boundaries of medical innovation, working as collaborative teams with a shared purpose of excellent patient care.”

UC San Diego Health placed fifth in California, just behind a four-way tie between UCLA Health, UCSF Health, Stanford Health Care, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. This achievement validates UC San Diego Health as a leader in academic medicine, where science, compassion and clinical care intersect to achieve exceptional patient outcomes.

"Our health system’s ongoing commitment to excellence is emphasized by our ability to care for patients from across the country while retaining top talent and continuing to deliver outstanding outcomes," said John M. Carethers, MD, vice chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego. "Our dedicated teams have been caring for the San Diego community for more than 50 years and our renowned physicians and scientists have made significant contributions in many fields to advance human health. This approach not only enhances patient experience but also further confirms our position as a top health care destination providing forward-looking medical advancements and comprehensive care."

To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures, such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from more than 800 million records of patient care. Expert opinion scores are also a key element of the U.S. News & World Report rankings with outcomes determined by voting from physicians across the nation.

UC San Diego Health, the region’s only academic health system, is dedicated to delivering outstanding patient care through commitment to community, groundbreaking research and inspired teaching. Our specialty care for serious and complex conditions is consistently ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report and other organizations. The 1,101-bed academic health system includes Hillcrest Medical Center, Jacobs Medical Center, East Campus Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, Moores Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion, and Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, as well as primary care and same day services at clinics throughout Southern California.