Eight UAB Hospital specialty programs are among the nation’s Top 50 — seven in the Top 25 — in 16 categories evaluated at America’s 5,462 hospitals this year by U.S. News & World Report.

UAB Hospital is one of only 173 hospitals — and the only hospital in Alabama or Mississippi — to rank high enough in even one specialty to make the magazine’s national “Best Hospital’s” list.

The rheumatology program ranked No. 8 nationally, its 16th consecutive year ranked.

Other UAB programs ranked this year:
• Kidney disease, No. 15
• Cancer, No. 18
• Geriatrics, No. 20
• Respiratory disorders, No. 21
• Ear, nose and throat, No. 22
• Gynecology, No. 20
• Orthopedics, No. 32

“We are very happy to be recognized for the high quality care we provide at UAB Hospital,” said Mike Waldrum, M.D., CEO of UAB Hospital. “This is a tribute to the efforts of everyone who works here and the commitment they have to providing our patients with the best care possible.”

According to the magazine’s published methodology, a hospital’s overall performance is summed up by its U.S. News score. It is made up of three equal parts: reputation, mortality and a mix of care-related factors such as nursing and patient services. The 50 hospitals in each specialty with the highest scores are listed. The rankings appear in the magazine’s 18th annual “America’s Best Hospitals” issue, released July 13.