For the 15th consecutive year, U.S.News & World Report ranks multiple specialties at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics among the nation's best.

The annual rankings, published in the July 5, 2004, issue, showed 12 of the hospital's specialties listed among the nation's top 50. The outcome means UI Hospitals and Clinics continues to rank overall as one of "America's Best Hospitals."

Rejoining the rankings this year were the UI specialties of geriatrics, digestive disorders (gastroenterology), and kidney (nephrology).

Moving up to second (from third last year) was otolaryngology. Ophthalmology and visual sciences and orthopaedics continued to rank in the top 10 (both ranked 6th).

The complete list of ranked UI specialties included:

• Otolaryngology
• Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Urology
• Psychiatry
• Respiratory Disorders
• Digestive Disorders
• Hormone Disorders
• Gynecology
• Cancer
• Geriatrics
• Kidney Disease

Donna Katen-Bahensky, director and CEO of UI Hospitals and Clinics, and Jean Robillard, M.D., dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine, cautioned that no one should make decisions about their health care based solely upon such rankings. That decision should be made after considering an array of factors and in consultation with a personal physician.

The complete hospital rankings are available online at www.usnews.com.