Awards & Accolades

Lurie Children's is proud to be recognized for the following awards, accolades and achievements. 

Named Among the Top Children's Hospitals 

In the 2025-26 U.S.News & World Report rankings of the Best Children’s Hospitals, Lurie Children’s continues to be the top children’s hospital in Illinois, ranking in 11 specialties. Learn more about our badges and rankings.

Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026

Lurie Children's was awarded on Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026. This award was presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

The World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026 ranking identifies the best hospitals that specialize in Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, Pulmonology, and Urology. Learn more.

Awarded on Newsweek’s America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025 List

To provide parents with a comprehensive resource for informed decision-making, Statista and Newsweek have partnered to award the leading children’s hospitals in the US. Lurie Children's ranked #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025. The hospital was listed in the top 10 in three other specialties – Gastroenterology (#3), Pulmonology (#3), and Cancer (#5).

Magnet Recognized

Lurie Children’s is one of less than five percent of all hospitals to have received Magnet® recognition six times by The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. The hospital is the first hospital in Illinois and the first free-standing pediatric hospital in the nation to achieve six designations. Read more about our Magnet status.

Joy in Medicine Recognition Award 2025-2026

Lurie Children’s received the American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine Recognition Award for its commitment to physician well-being. The honor reflects a broad wellness strategy that includes the Practitioner Health & Wellness Committee, workshops, stress management programs, the RISE peer support program, and dedicated online resources. Leadership has also advanced transparency and engagement through listening sessions, focus groups, and data-driven efforts to reduce burnout and improve efficiency. These initiatives underscore Lurie Children's dedication to creating a supportive environment where physicians can thrive and deliver exceptional care.

Forbes America's Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals 2025

In 2025, Lurie Children's was recognized as one of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals 2025, a prestigious award honored by Forbes and Statista.

This recognition celebrates Lurie Children's outstanding workplace culture, employee support systems, and unwavering commitment to advancing the healthcare professions. Learn more.

Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP)

Lurie Children’s has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP). AAHRPP promotes high quality, ethically sound research through an accreditation process that helps organizations worldwide strengthen their research protection programs. As an independent, non-profit accrediting body, AAHRPP uses a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to ensure that human research protection programs meet rigorous standards.

Level 1 Pediatric Surgery Center & Surgical Quality Partner

Lurie Children’s received Level 1 verification by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), becoming the first children’s hospital in Illinois to earn this status, which recognizes proficiency in pediatric surgical care at all levels.

Lurie Children’s is also an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, recognizing adherence to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality. 

Joint Commission Top Performer

In 2011 and 2012, Lurie Children’s was recognized as a Top Performer in The Joint Commission’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures™ program. Lurie Children’s made the list for achieving excellence on its accountability measures in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for children’s asthma during 2011 and 2010. In 2012, Lurie Children’s was among just seven hospitals in the country to earn the Top Performer award for children’s asthma.

LEED-certified to the Gold Level

In 2014, the U.S. Green Building Council designated Lurie Children’s with the second highest sustainability rating, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The LEED® green building program is the preeminent program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of high-performance green buildings.