Recognized among nation’s Top 50 children’s hospitals for 18th consecutive year, with eight specialty programs ranked among the nation’s best including all four institutes
MIAMI, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is the No. 1 pediatric hospital* in Florida in U.S. News & World Report‘s 2026-27 “Best Children’s Hospitals” rankings, continuing its longstanding recognition for excellence in pediatric care.
Nicklaus Children’s also has been recognized among the nation’s Top 50 children’s hospitals for the 18th consecutive year. Eight specialty programs, including all four key institutes, were recognized among the nation’s best, giving the hospital more nationally ranked pediatric programs than any other hospital in South Florida.
Nicklaus Children’s 2026-27 specialty rankings are:
- Neurology & Neurosurgery, #21 (#1 ranked program in Florida, top 25 nationally) **
- Orthopedics, #30
- Pulmonology & Lung Surgery, #43 (#1 ranked program in South Florida) **
- Neonatology, #47
- Urology, #47 (#1 ranked program in South Florida) **
- Cancer, #48 (#1 ranked program in South Florida) **
- Cardiology & Heart Surgery, #48 (#1 ranked program in South Florida) **
- Behavioral Health, Top 50
“Being the No. 1 pediatric hospital* in Florida and earning national recognition for eight specialty programs is a tremendous achievement for our entire organization,” said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “These rankings reflect the expertise, dedication and collaboration of our physicians, nurses, clinical teams and every member of the Nicklaus Children’s family. Most importantly, they reflect our commitment to providing children and families with the highest quality care and the best possible outcomes.”
With nearly 200 hospitals participating in the annual survey, the methodology is based on clinical outcomes including patient survival, infection rates, and complications. Other factors are considered, like the level and quality of hospital resources related to patient care such as staffing, technology, and special services; delivery of healthcare programs that prevent infections and adherence to best practices; and expert opinion among pediatric specialists and sub-specialists. U.S. News & World Report updates the survey every year to account for new treatments and evidence-based best practices, informed by leading experts in the field.
“Recognition by U.S. News & World Report is meaningful because it reflects the dedication of our organization’s commitment to excellence,” said Randy Harmatz Matott, SVP and chief quality officer of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “Our focus remains on advancing quality, improving outcomes and creating an exceptional experience for the children and families we serve.”
The recognition comes as Nicklaus Children’s continues to expand access to specialized pediatric care and advance innovative treatments and services designed specifically for children.
* Tied
** Highest ranking by U.S. News & World Report
About Nicklaus Children’s Health System – Where Your Child Matters Most ™
For more than 75 years, Nicklaus Children’s Health System has stood as a beacon of hope for children and families across the state of Florida and beyond. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. Nicklaus Children’s provides pediatric care across a growing network of hospital and community-based partnerships, including within NCH North Hospital in Naples, Jupiter Medical Center, select Baptist Health Hospital pediatric emergency units, as well as at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Fort Lauderdale and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Coral Springs, each located on the campuses of Broward Health. The hospitals and their network of more than 35 outpatient locations offer lifesaving care in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin and Palm Beach counties. Outpatient locations include an array of urgent, pediatric primary and specialty care centers and are either hospital-based or outpatient locations under Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, LLC (NCPS). Providing a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking research, Nicklaus Children’s is an academic and clinical affiliate of the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and home to centers of excellence including the Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Orthopedic, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute, the Neuroscience Institute and the Heart Institute. The 474-bed system is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children’s also includes a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary with more than 40 pediatric specialties and an ambulatory surgery center. For more information, visit nicklauschildrens.org.
Media Contact:
Nathalie Medina
nathalie.medina@nicklaushealth.org
SOURCE Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
