Newsweek Ranks Lurie Children's #1 in U.S. in Pediatric Cardiology/Cardiac Surgery and Pulmonology

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has once again been recognized among the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals in Newsweek’s 2026 rankings of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals, earning the #1 national ranking in both Cardiology/Cardiac Surgery and Pulmonology.  

In addition to Lurie Children’s top rankings in Cardiology and Pulmonology, the hospital received national recognition across all eight pediatric specialty categories evaluated by Newsweek: Endocrinology (#14), Gastroenterology & Gastrointestinal Surgery (#2), Neonatology (#12), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#8), Oncology (#4), and Orthopedics. (#8). 

This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider and recognizes leading children’s hospitals nationwide based on quality metrics, patient outcomes and peer recommendations. 

“These rankings reflect the extraordinary dedication and expertise of our physicians, nurses, researchers and staff who work every day to deliver world-class care to children and families,” said Thomas Shanley, MD, President & CEO of Lurie Children’s. “Being recognized across all specialty categories and ranked #1 nationally in both Cardiology and Pulmonology is a testament to the exceptional teamwork and innovation that defines Lurie Children’s.” 

This is the third year in a row that Lurie Children’s ranked #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2026. Lurie Children’s Heart Center is internationally recognized for excellence in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, caring for patients with the most complex congenital and acquired heart conditions.  

The hospital’s pulmonology program is also a national leader in the treatment of complex respiratory diseases and advanced pulmonary care for infants, children and adolescents. The Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Lurie Children’s treats more children for lung and breathing-related (respiratory) diseases than any other hospital in Illinois.  

“This recognition underscores our commitment to advancing pediatric medicine through leading-edge clinical care, research and innovation,” said Marcelo Malakooti, MD, MBA, CPE, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “We are honored to be trusted by families across Chicago and around the world.” 

Newsweek’s rankings are based on a comprehensive evaluation process that includes hospital quality metrics, recommendations from pediatric specialists and healthcare professionals, and patient experience data. America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2026 underlying data analysis is based on four data sources: 

• Nationwide Online Survey: Over ten thousand medical experts with knowledge about pediatric care (e.g., general and specialized pediatricians and nurses) were asked to recommend leading children’s hospitals in the U.S.  

• Hospital Quality Metrics: Hospital quality metrics with a focus on indicators relevant to the respective subspecialties and accreditations/certifications were considered. 

• Patient Satisfaction: Evaluations from Google were researched for each children’s hospital as a proxy for patient satisfaction with the hospital. 

• Statista Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) Implementation Survey: Newsweek and Statista conduct an annual PROMs Implementation Survey to account for the increasing importance of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). 

The award list was announced on June 3, 2026, and can be viewed on the Newsweek website. In addition, Lurie Children’s has been previously named to Newsweek’s prestigious list of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026, earning recognition in the Pediatrics category. Lurie Children’s ranked 5th of the 2026 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals List for Pediatrics. 

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of less than 35 nationally. This is where the top doctors go to train, practice pediatric medicine, teach, advocate, research and stay up to date on the latest treatments. Exclusively focused on children, all Lurie Children’s resources are devoted to serving their needs. Research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. It is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek.