Four Shriners Children’s hospitals earn pediatric orthopedics rankings

Shriners Children’s had four locations named to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospitals list in pediatric orthopedics. The rankings underscore the nonprofit system’s specialty care footprint for children with complex bone, spine and injury-related conditions.

Why it matters: - Four Shriners Children’s locations earned national recognition in pediatric orthopedics, a specialty that treats children with complex spine, bone and injury-related conditions. - The rankings can help families identify hospitals with stronger track records in difficult fracture care, surgical safety and infection prevention. - The results also reinforce Shriners Children’s long-standing focus on specialty pediatric care.

What happened: - U.S. News & World Report included four Shriners Children’s locations in its 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. - The list covers the top 50 U.S. children’s hospitals across 10 pediatric specialties. - The ranked Shriners Children’s locations were: - No. 11, Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City, with Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and University of Utah - No. 17, Shriners Children’s St. Louis, with Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital - No. 36, Shriners Children’s Northern California, with University of California Davis Children’s Hospital - No. 37, Shriners Children’s Lexington, with Kentucky Children’s Hospital

The details: - U.S. News ranked the hospitals for pediatric orthopedics based on care for scoliosis, spina bifida, complex fractures and sports injuries. - Scores heavily weight outcomes in difficult fracture cases, surgical complications and infection prevention. - The ranking process uses hospital survey data on patient safety, infection control and nurse staffing. - The overall score also includes a reputational survey of thousands of pediatric specialists. - Those specialists are asked to identify the hospitals they would trust most with their sickest patients. - U.S. News has published the children’s hospital rankings for more than a decade. - Leslie D. Stewart, M.D., chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the recognition reflects the daily work of Shriners Children’s teams and their skill and compassion. - Scott H. Kozin, M.D., chief medical officer, said pediatric orthopedics has been central to Shriners Children’s mission for more than a century.

Between the lines: - The results suggest Shriners Children’s remains competitive in a field where specialist reputation and measurable outcomes both influence national standing. - The four ranked locations also show the system’s care network spans multiple regions, not just one flagship hospital. - The recognition may carry weight with families who are comparing children’s hospitals for complex orthopedic needs.

What’s next: - Shriners Children’s says it will keep focusing on advancing orthopedic care and improving outcomes for children and families. - The organization’s broader mission continues to include pediatric specialty care, research and education for medical professionals. - Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate remain eligible for care regardless of family ability to pay or insurance status.

The bottom line: - Four Shriners Children’s hospitals are again among the nation’s top pediatric orthopedic programs, strengthening the nonprofit system’s profile with families seeking specialized care. - More information is available at Shriners Children’s.