Welcome to University of Iowa Health Care Today. Yet again, for the 19th year in a row, U.S.News & World Report has ranked University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics among the best hospitals in the nation. The issue will be available on newsstands on July 14. Dr. Robillard is vice president for medical affairs for University of Iowa Health Care, and is on the line with me now to give all of you a preview of this year’s rankings. Dr. Robillard,

Good morning, and I’m pleased to be here today to talk to you about the U.S.News & World Report rankings. First of all, we have been ranked for the last 19 years, since the beginning of these rankings. That does show the impact that the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and UI Health Care have on the state of Iowa. I think we excel in our service; we have outstanding outcomes; and obviously, we’re also producing tremendous innovation. I think that does explain why our ranking is so good presently.

What does U.S.News & World Report say about University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in its 2008 rankings of American hospitals?

The first thing is who is ranked among our specialties. I think, obviously, otolaryngology is ranked number 2 and ophthalmology is ranked number 6. And we have seven or eight other specialties that are ranked, including orthopaedics, cancer, neurology, neurosurgery, gynecology, kidney disease, urology, and so on. I think it does show the quality of the physicians, the quality of the nurses, and the quality of the staff that we have here. And also, the fact that we are one of the best academic health centers in the country, and I think that’s what’s transpiring through the report. We are there, really, for the people of Iowa—there’s no question about that. But we’re also leading the nation in many of these specialties and services.

Were there any specific comments that you see from the report that stand out about University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics?

The fact that we have been steady in terms of being among the leaders in the country. When you rank for 19 years in a row and you consistently rank at that level, I think it does show the quality of service; the quality of care; the fact that we are one of the best academic health centers in the country.

How much credence should patients and families give to such rankings?

These rankings are important; and people should look at them. But they should not be the only aspect they should look at when it’s time to decide about their care, to decide about where to go for their care for their families. There are many other specialties and programs that we have at the University that are among the highest in the country. We’ll talk about neonatology, for example, which is not ranked by U.S.News & World Report, but they are still among the best in the country. If U.S.News & World Report was ranking all programs, I think we would have even more programs than we have at this point. But I will tell the people that what is important is really the relationship they have with their physician, the quality of care that they get at the University; and they should look at this when they decide about where to go for care.

What are the most important factors about these rankings you would like people to keep in mind?

I think this is an indication; they should look at the ranking overall. I think when you rank, it does tell the population that you are among the best institutions in the country. This is not the only index of quality care, however, but this is a good starting point.

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U.S.News & World Report Rankings story

Jean Robillard, MD

UI Carver College of Medicine

UI Physicians

Other UI Hospitals and Clinics Honors and Recognitions