U.S. News & World Report has released its 20th annual Best Children's Hospitals rankings, naming 11 pediatric facilities to its unranked honor roll. Two newcomers — Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh — joined the list this year, while Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego did not return. The rankings, which began as a physician survey two decades ago, now evaluate clinical outcomes, patient safety practices, resource allocation, and expert opinion across 114 of 199 eligible hospitals.

At the specialty level, Boston Children's Hospital led the pack, earning the No. 1 spot in seven of ten pediatric specialties, including cancer care, neurology, and pulmonology. Texas Children's Hospital topped the charts in cardiology and diabetes care, while Children's Health Dallas-Scottish Rite for Children claimed the orthopedics crown. For the third consecutive year, U.S. News also published a Top 50 list for pediatric behavioral health programs.

By the Numbers:

• 11 hospitals named to the honor roll
• 114 of 199 eligible hospitals evaluated
• 40%+ of U.S. physicians surveyed
• 7 of 10 specialty top spots claimed by Boston Children's Hospital
• 50 hospitals recognized for pediatric behavioral health

Why it matters: These rankings serve as a key resource for families and clinicians navigating complex pediatric care decisions, helping identify top-performing hospitals by specialty and region — especially important when local options may be limited.