July 16, 2009 — Miller School of Medicine — For the sixth year in a row, the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute was ranked the Number One hospital in the country for ophthalmology in the 20th annual survey of “America’s Best Hospitals” published by U.S. News & World Report. Two other specialties at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center were also ranked as among the nation’s best.

“To be ranked Number One in ophthalmology for six consecutive years is truly a great honor,” said Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., professor and chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. “It is a direct result of the dedication and skill of our physicians, scientists, students, nurses and staff. This is an honor that we share with the University of Miami, with our community and all our patients.”

The two other University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center programs that joined Bascom Palmer in the rankings are ear, nose and throat, ranked 20, and geriatrics, ranked 35.

“These annual rankings recognize the exceptional quality of the clinical care we provide to our patients every day,” said Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School of Medicine and CEO of UHealth-University of Miami Health System. “We are proud to be recognized for our world-class academic medicine.”

The standards for ranking in “Best Hospitals” are rigorous. Out of the 4,861 hospitals evaluated, just 174 scored high enough this year to be ranked in any specialty. To be considered at all, a hospital had to satisfy at least one of three requirements: be a teaching hospital, have at least 200 beds, or have at least 100 beds plus at least four out of eight key medical technologies such as current-generation CT scanners and precision radiation therapy. For consideration in a specialty, hospitals had to admit and treat a minimum number of patients with complex conditions, or have been recommended by at least one physician.

“These rankings are yet another example of our continued commitment to providing quality, compassionate medical care to the residents of South Florida and beyond,” said Eneida Roldan, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., president and CEO of Jackson Health System. “I am extremely proud and congratulate all of the doctors, nurses and staff for their hard work and commitment to our patients and their well-being.

For more information, visit http://www.med.miami.edu/