7/9/1999

PITTSBURGH, July 9, 1999 — For the first time in history, a Pittsburgh-based health system has been placed on U.S. News and World Report’s Honor Roll as one of the "best of the best" hospitals in the United States. According to U.S. News and World Report, the Honor Roll recognizes those institutions that perform at a very high level across many specialties. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ranked 12th out of 188 best hospitals. This ranking places University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with a select group of nationally prestigious institutions that include Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore; Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; and UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

"This ranking is one more confirmation of the high quality of care provided by the physicians and other health care professionals throughout University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In recent years, the National Institutes of Health has consistently ranked UPMC among the top 12 research centers in the country, as measured by peer-reviewed funding for research. This ranking proves that our patient care is of equal excellence," stated Jeffrey Romoff, president of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Mr. Romoff went on to say that it is particularly gratifying that UPMC’s nationally-lauded specialty programs are available to people throughout western Pennsylvania through the system’s community hospitals.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ranked in a record number of 12 out of 16 specialty areas, more than any other hospital in this region. UPMC ranked fifth in ear, nose and throat; 11th in cancer; 27th in cardiology and heart surgery; 13th in geriatrics; 12th in psychiatry (Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic); 11th in hormonal disorders which include glandular problems such as diabetes; 11th in digestive tract which includes gastrointestinal disorders; 12th in rheumatology; 11th in orthopaedics; 23rd in neurology and neurosurgery; 10th in respiratory disorders; and 29th in gynecology (Magee-Womens Hospital).