"We're honored to again have the expertise of our physicians, nurses and support staff nationally recognized," said R. Edward Howell, director and CEO of the UI Hospitals and Clinics. "To have 10 of our medical specialties highly ranked among the top 50 in their respective fields underscores the wide breadth of high quality health care that Iowans have at their university hospital."

Three specialties ranked in the top 10. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery ranked second, Ophthalmology and the Visual Sciences ranked sixth and Orthopaedic Surgery ranked eighth.

Seven other University of Iowa Health Care medical specialties ranked among the top 50:

• Neurology/ neurosurgery;
• Geriatrics;
• Rheumatology;
• Gastroenterology;
• Cancer services;
• Endocrinology,
• Gynecology.

Howell noted that the UI Hospitals and Clinics medical specialties cited for special excellence "align very well with the demographics and health needs of the state's residents. It should be reassuring to Iowans to know that they don't have to travel out of state to get health care for their special occupational or age-related needs."

The complete rankings are available on the world wide web at www.usnews.com.