Dell Children’s Medical Center has been recognized in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals list, earning national rankings in seven pediatric specialties. This marks the fourth consecutive year the hospital has received national recognition, with improvements in its rankings across all listed specialties.
The hospital’s Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery program achieved a No. 10 ranking nationally, a significant rise from its previous positions at No. 30 last year and No. 48 in 2023. Other specialties ranked include Neonatology (No. 36), Pediatric Orthopedics (No. 31), Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery (No. 25), Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery (No. 27, tie), Pediatric Urology (No. 49, tie), and Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health (Top 50).
Adam Messer, President of Dell Children’s Medical Center, stated: “We are incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly to provide the highest quality care for our patients. 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 is led by Charles Fraser, Jr., MD, who helped establish the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. The partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center, Dell Medical School, and Ascension Seton has contributed to the growing prominence of several programs at the hospital.
Claudia Lucchinetti, M.D., dean of Dell Medical School and senior vice president for medical affairs at UT Austin, commented: “Academic medicine doesn’t just raise the standard of care — it expands what’s possible. 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 serves as Central Texas’s only comprehensive children’s hospital and pediatric Level I trauma center. It was established by local pediatricians to provide family-centered care across the region. The opening of Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus in 2023 added a Level III trauma designation and expanded access to emergency care, surgery, and outpatient services.
For its latest rankings, U.S. News & World Report worked with RTI International to analyze data from nearly 200 children’s hospitals nationwide. Only those hospitals that submitted sufficient data were considered for ranking. Facilities that received a “Best” designation demonstrated strong clinical outcomes, adherence to best practices, and high-quality resources dedicated to patient care.
