INDIANAPOLIS – Riley Children’s Health has once again been named among the nation’s leading children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, earning a spot on the 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospitals list for the 19th consecutive year.
Riley Children’s Health is the No. 1 ranked children’s hospital in Indiana and fourth in the Midwest*. It is one of only 18 children’s hospitals in the nation ranked across all 11 pediatric specialties, placing it among a small group of pediatric hospitals recognized for excellence across the full spectrum of specialty care.
The 2026-2027 rankings recognize Riley among the nation’s leading programs, including top 10 rankings in pediatric urology (#4) and pulmonology and lung surgery (#10**), as well as top 25 recognition in six specialties.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary people who make Riley what it is every day,” said Riley Children’s Health President David Biggerstaff. “The dedication and expertise of our physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, researchers, and clinical, operational, and support teams are what allows us to provide nationally recognized pediatric care close to home. Their commitment to achieving strong outcomes, advancing pediatric medicine, and continually investing in the health of children is what sets Riley apart. We are honored that this work continues to be recognized nationally and, most importantly, trusted by the families we serve.”
Based on a combination of clinical data and reputation among pediatric clinical specialists nationwide, U.S. News ranked Riley Children’s in each of the 11 pediatric specialties evaluated:
- Cancer
- Cardiology & Heart Surgery
- Diabetes & Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
- Neonatology
- Nephrology
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health
- Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
- Urology
“Riley is honored to stand among the nation’s strongest children’s hospitals, with U.S. News & World Report’s rigorous methodology reflecting the volume and complexity of the patients we serve, our exceptional outcomes, scientific advancement, and national reputation for excellence,” said Dr. Mara Nitu, chief medical officer at Riley Children’s Health.
U.S. News & World Report introduced the Best Children’s Hospitals rankings in 2007 to provide families with information about the quality of pediatric care available at leading children’s hospitals nationwide.
For the 2026-2027 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from 114 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 the level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.
The full rankings for the 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospitals national, regional/state, and specialty rankings can be found at USNews.com.
