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Children's HealthOctober 7, 2025

U.S. News & World Report names UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the nation’s best

By Tricia Tomiyoshi

(SACRAMENTO)

UC Davis Children’s Hospital has been recognized as a 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings assist parents and caregivers, along with their physicians, in finding the best possible care for children with serious illnesses or complex medical needs.

UC Davis Children’s Hospital ranked among the top 50 hospitals nationwide in three specialties:

Pediatric orthopaedics (#23), which was awarded in collaboration with Shriners Children’s – Northern California, UC Davis Children’s Hospital’s longstanding partner in caring for children with burns, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic disorders and urological issues.
Pediatric nephrology (#33).
Pediatric pulmonology and lung surgery (#41).

UC Davis Children’s Hospital was also ranked 7^th in California and 8^th in the Pacific Region, which includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

“We are honored that UC Davis Children’s Hospital has once again been recognized among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report,” said Satyan Lakshminrusimha, pediatrician-in-chief at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. “These rankings reflect the extraordinary dedication of our physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and staff who work tirelessly to provide exceptional, family-centered care for children with the most complex medical needs. Being ranked seventh in California and eighth in the Pacific Region underscores our role as a trusted resource for families seeking the highest level of pediatric care close to home.”

For the 2025-2026 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from 118 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.

“Being a top-ranked pediatric hospital means more than just excelling in a single specialty — it means being a pillar of outstanding care for your entire region,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor of U.S. News. “Our rankings acknowledge these hospitals for their comprehensive excellence, helping families find the very best care conveniently located within their state and community.”

The full rankings for the 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals can be viewed at USNews.com.