For the 13th consecutive year, an annual survey published by U.S.News & World Report magazine ranks University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics overall as one of "America's Best Hospitals."

In addition, nine of the hospital's specialties rating among the nation's top 50. Three of the honored specialties--Otolaryngology-ear, nose and throat, Ophthalmology-eyes, and Orthopaedic Surgery-bones and joints--rank among the nation's top 10.

The other ranked specialties at UI Hospitals and Clinics include:

• Psychiatry
• Urology
• Cancer
• Rheumatology
• Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Respiratory Disorders

Ann Madden Rice, chief financial officer and interim director and CEO of UI Hospitals and Clinics at the time the rankings were released, said the rankings offer yet another confirmation of the organization's commitment to overall excellence.

"We are very pleased," Rice said. "We think it's wonderful that our great clinicians are being recognized and honored for the work that's being done here."

The 2002 rankings represent the 13th time in the 13 years that U.S.News & World Report has published the "America's Best Hospitals" survey that UI Hospitals and Clinics has been honored by the magazine. Results were published in the July 22 issue.

Robert P. Kelch, M.D., dean of the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and vice president for statewide health services, noted that having so many specialties ranked demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the services provided at UI Hospitals and Clinics.

"My initial reaction is one of pride--pride in the faculty and staff whose tremendous efforts led to the richly deserved recognition from our peers that this represents," Kelch said.

The complete hospital rankings are available on the World Wide Web at www.usnews.com.