Houston – September 17, 2026 -- Texas Children's has secured a spot on the U.S. News & World Report Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll, marking its 18th consecutive year as the top-ranked pediatric hospital in Texas and sixth straight year as No. 1 in the Southwest region.
Heart Center holds national No. 1 ranking for a decade running
Texas Children's Heart Center retained its No. 1 national ranking in Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery for the 10th consecutive year. The program performs more than 1,000 surgeries and 1,600 cardiac catheterization procedures annually, treating some of the rarest and most complex pediatric heart conditions.
Diabetes and endocrinology program claims top national spot
Texas Children's earned the No. 1 U.S. ranking in Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology. The program relies on standardized, evidence-based protocols, a same-day sick clinic, insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors and real-time clinical alerts across its multiple clinic locations to expand access and improve outcomes.
Every evaluated specialty at Texas Children's earns national recognition
Nine specialties ranked among the nation's top five, with five reaching the top two. Nephrology, Pulmonology & Lung Surgery and Urology each ranked No. 2; Neurology & Neurosurgery placed No. 3; Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Neonatology and Orthopedics each ranked No. 5. Cancer ranked No. 12, and Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health received a Top 50 designation.
Dr. Debra Sukin, President and CEO of Texas Children's, said the decade-long No. 1 heart care ranking and the new No. 1 diabetes and endocrinology ranking reflect the commitment of the hospital's physicians, nurses, researchers and staff.
Baylor College of Medicine partnership underpins clinical scale
Texas Children's, described as the largest freestanding children's hospital in the country, operates in academic partnership with Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Larry Hollier, President of Health Affairs at Texas Children's and Vice Chair of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, said having every evaluated specialty recognized nationally reflects the depth of clinical expertise, research and innovation across the system.
The U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals rankings weigh clinical outcomes and resources, patient safety, infection prevention, nurse staffing and input from pediatric specialists.