Six Cook Children’s Specialties Among Top in Country
Cook Children’s Health Care System is proud to announce that six of its specialty programs have been ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. This recognition underscores the health care system’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to children and their families.
The report analyzed data from 118 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists.
The following Cook Children’s specialties were named among the top programs:
- Pediatric Behavioral Health – Top 50
- Pediatric Cancer – #41 in the nation
- Pediatric Endocrinology – #35 in the nation
- Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery – #33 in the nation
- Pediatric Orthopedics – #49 in the nation
- Pediatric Pulmonology – #48 in the nation
Cook Children’s Neurology and Neurosurgery programs jumped an impressive 12 spots in the rankings, from No. 45 in 2024-2025 to No. 33 in 2025-2026.
“For 18 consecutive years, the Cook Children’s Neurology and Neurosurgery programs have been recognized for the high quality of care we provide each and every day. We established the Jane and John Institute for Mind Health to further strengthen our ability to provide comprehensive, coordinated and innovative care ensuring better outcomes for the children in our community and beyond,” Cynthia Keator, M.D., medical director of Neurology and Scott Perry, M.D., head of Neurosciences at the Justin Institute, jointly stated. “This year’s ranking recognizes those investments and is only a glimpse of what the future holds.”
Cook Children’s Diabetes and Endocrinology programs moved up nine spots in the rankings, from No. 44 last year to No. 35.
“Our team is dedicated to improving the quality of care and the patient experience for our children with diabetes and endocrine diseases,” said Paul Thornton, M.D., medical director of Diabetes and Endocrinology at Cook Children’s. “Our department has been recognized nationally and internationally for our Centers of Excellence and we are delighted that this has translated into this honor by the U.S. News & World Report.”
U.S. News & World Report evaluated children’s hospitals based on a variety of factors, including quality of care, clinical research programs, services and surgeries performed patient and family involvement and access to resources, staff dedication, recognition as a Nurse Magnet Hospital, and more.
For Cook Children’s Health Care System as a whole, the rankings highlight longstanding excellence in a variety of areas.
“For over a century, Cook Children’s has been committed to providing the best possible care and improving the well-being of every child,” said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s. “Being honored once again by U.S. News & World Report validates the exceptional dedication of our entire staff in fulfilling our Promise.”