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You’ll find it at work every day with at UC San Diego Heath System, part of the renowned University of California system, one of the most respected education and research institutions in the world.

It’s here that some of the brightest medical and scientific minds collaborate to discover breakthroughs that become the standard at hospitals throughout the country and the world.

In fact, year after year, the prestigious U.S. News & World Report rankings have recognized UC San Diego for its clinical and research excellence in a wide range of specialties, including cancer care, orthopedics, respiratory care and gynecology. Our physicians have also been honored consistently by “The Best Doctors in America,” “America’s Top Doctors” and “San Diego’s Best Doctors.”

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One Place is Number One

Date: March 29, 2011

UC San Diego Health System Ranks First in U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals for Metro Areas

UC San Diego Health System has been ranked first in San Diego in U.S. News & World Report's first-ever Best Hospitals metro area rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/hospitals. This prestigious ranking recognizes UC San Diego Health System as a leader in delivering groundbreaking health care to southern California.

“UC San Diego Health System is proud to be recognized as #1 in San Diego by U.S. News & World Report,” said Thomas E. Jackiewicz, chief executive officer of UC San Diego Health System. “As the region’s only academic health system, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the most novel treatments and complex care to all of San Diego.”

UC San Diego Thornton Hospital

The new rankings recognize 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties, including 132 of the 152 hospitals already identified as the best in the nation. There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide. As of 2011, UC San Diego Health System is top ranked nationwide in Pulmonology, Psychiatry, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Orthopedics and Geriatrics.

U.S. News & World Report created Best Hospitals more than 20 years ago to identify hospitals exceptionally skilled in handling the most difficult cases, such as brain tumors typically considered inoperable and delicate pancreatic procedures. Patients and their families will have a far better chance of finding a U.S. News & World Report-ranked hospital in their health insurance network and might not have to travel to get care at a high-performing hospital.

To be ranked in its metro area, a hospital had to score in the top 25 percent among its peers in at least one of 16 medical specialties.

“All of these hospitals provide first-rate care for the majority of patients, even those with serious conditions or who need demanding procedures,” says Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. “The new Best Hospitals metro rankings can tell you which hospitals are worth considering for most medical problems if you live in or near a major metro area.”

UC San Diego Health System includes two hospitals and multiple primary and specialty care outpatient centers in Hillcrest, La Jolla and Scripps Ranch. The Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, on the La Jolla campus, is scheduled to in April 2011 and the 10-story, multi-specialty Jacobs Medical Center will break ground in March of 2012.

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Media Contact: Jackie Carr, 619-543-6163, jcarr@ucsd.edu