Report: VCU Medical Center is best hospital in Virginia

The news magazine ranks hospitals nationally, statewide and locally based on how they perform in 16 adult medical specialties. Of more than 5,000 hospitals and medical centers in the U.S., 137 were ranked nationally in one or more specialty.

Nationally, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, ranked best overall, followed by No. 2 Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles tied for third place.

In the Richmond metro area, VCU Medical Center ranked No. 1, Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital was second, Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center was third, and HCA Virginia’s Johnston-Willis Hospital ranked No. 4.

Within states, hospitals are ranked according to how many specialty programs they have making the top 50.

VCU Medical Center has three programs making the top 50, more than any other hospital in the state.

VCU is ranked 49th in cardiology and heart surgery, 48th in nephrology (kidney care) and 34th in orthopedic care. The medical center also ranked as “high-performing” in six adult specialties: cancer; gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery; geriatrics; neurology and neurosurgery; pulmonology; and urology.

“As central Virginia’s only comprehensive academic medical center and largest safety net provider, we provide care for the most complex patients,” said John Duval, vice president for clinical services and CEO of VCU Hospitals. “This special recognition is a reflection of the hard work and compassionate care our team of physicians, nurses and staff provides to all we serve.”

VCU Medical Center, which ranked third last year, tied for first in 2013.

Sentara Norfolk General ranked nationally in two specialties: 31st in cardiology and heart surgery, and 41st in ear, nose and throat care. The Norfolk hospital was “high-performing” in seven adult specialties: cancer; diabetes and endocrinology; gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery; geriatrics; nephrology; pulmonology; and urology.

Inova Fairfax Hospital ranked in the top 50 nationally in one adult medical specialty: 30th in gynecology, and was “high-performing” in eight specialties: cancer; cardiology and heart surgery; gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery; geriatrics; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; pulmonology; and urology.