Dell Children’s Medical Center has achieved national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals list, securing Top 50 rankings in seven pediatric specialties. This marks the fourth consecutive year the hospital has been nationally ranked, with improvements in each specialty compared to previous years.
The hospital’s specialties and their rankings include Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery at number 10, Neonatology at 36, Pediatric Orthopedics at 31, Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery at 25, Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery at 27 (tie), Pediatric Urology at 49 (tie), and Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health in the Top 50.
“We are incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly to provide the highest quality care for our patients,” said Adam Messer, President of Dell Children’s Medical Center. “These national rankings are a testament to their dedication and commitment to excellence in all aspects of the compassionate and quality care we provide on a daily basis, and we share this recognition with the pediatric provider community in Central Texas who partner with us to achieve these outcomes. Our hospital continues to be a destination for the treatment of complex conditions, and we are committed to our ministry’s mission of serving our community and beyond with the best care possible.”
The hospital’s Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery program has moved up to number 10 nationally, rising from number 30 last year and number 48 in 2023. The program is led by Charles Fraser, Jr., MD, who played a key role in establishing the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. Dell Children’s partnership with Dell Medical School and Ascension Seton is credited with elevating its pediatric cardiology and other programs through combined research, education, and patient care.
“Academic medicine doesn’t just raise the standard of care — it expands what’s possible,” said Claudia Lucchinetti, M.D., dean of Dell Medical School and senior vice president for medical affairs at UT Austin. “This progress shows the strength of our faculty and the momentum behind our mission — to build a more connected health system that delivers world-class care.”
Dell Children’s Medical Center is the only comprehensive children’s hospital and pediatric Level I trauma center in Central Texas. The institution was established by local pediatricians and provides specialized care through its main facility and its North Campus, which opened in 2023 and now holds a Level III trauma designation. This expansion increases access to pediatric emergency, surgical, and outpatient services across the region.
For this year’s rankings, U.S. News & World Report worked with RTI International to analyze data from 198 eligible children’s hospitals. Of these, 118 hospitals submitted sufficient information to be considered for ranking. Facilities recognized as “Best” were evaluated on clinical outcomes, adherence to best practices, and quality of resources related to patient care.
