Children’s Health Dallas takes top national spot in pediatric ortho surgery as US News names 2025–26 ‘Best Children’s Hospitals’

Editor's Note

Children’s Health in Dallas leads the nation in pediatric orthopedic surgery, after the US News & World Report 2025–2026 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings showcased familiar national leaders across a range of pediatric specialties, D Magazine and Fierce Healthcare October 7 report. The latest results highlight continued excellence in both surgical and medical programs, reinforcing how integrated specialty performance shapes pediatric care quality nationwide.

As reported by D Magazine, Children’s Medical Center Dallas—partnering with Scottish Rite for Children—earned the No 1 ranking in orthopedics, marking the eighth consecutive year the system has been recognized across all 12 pediatric specialties. The Dallas hospital also ranked ninth nationally in cardiology and heart surgery and tenth in urology, giving it three top-ten programs. Leaders credited the recognition to close collaboration with UT Southwestern and ongoing investments in facilities, including a new pediatric campus aimed at supporting advanced care and innovation.

Cook Children’s in Fort Worth ranked fourth in the Southwest and remained nationally recognized in orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery, and pulmonology. The outlet noted improvements in several programs, including diabetes and endocrinology, which rose nine places to No 35 nationally.

According to Fierce Healthcare, the 10-hospital national honor roll remains identical to last year, underscoring consistency among top performers. Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston led the nation in cardiology and heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, and pulmonology and lung surgery. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital topped the rankings for cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, and gastroenterology and GI surgery, while Boston Children’s Hospital ranked first in neonatology, nephrology, and urology.

The US News analysis, conducted with RTI International, evaluated outcomes, safety, and operational metrics from 108 hospitals, along with surveys of more than 36,000 pediatric specialists.