Hospital specialties rank among America's best

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics ranks overall as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in an annual survey published by U.S.News & World Report magazine.

In the same survey, nine of the hospital's specialties were listed among the nation's top 50, and three of those- Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and Orthopaedic Surgery-were ranked in the top 10.

The complete list of ranked specialties at UI Hospitals and Clinics included:

• Otolaryngology
• Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Rheumatology
• Urology
• Geriatrics
• Respiratory Disorders
• Kidney Disease
• Gynecology

Meanwhile, in its most recent rankings of medical schools, U.S.News & World Report rated rated the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine 12th nationally. In addition, the college was ranked 7th in rural medicine and 10th in primary care.

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

MRI center opens at UI Family Care clinic in Iowa City

UI Family Care, Southeast Iowa City, has opened a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center for outpatients. The new service complements existing services at UI Hospitals and Clinics by offering magnetic resonance imaging for outpatients. MRI studies are transferred digitally to faculty radiologists at the hospital for same-day interpretation.

New clinic serves people with schizophrenia

The Department of Psychiatry at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has opened a new clinic that provides specialized medication management to patients affected by schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Peg Nopoulos, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry, directs the clinic. Patients may schedule appointments by calling the triage nurse in the adult psychiatry clinic at 319-353-6414. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays.

NCI re-accredits Holden cancer center

The National Cancer Institute has given Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Iowa a five-year renewal of its formal designation as a cancer center. The renewal includes a five-year, $11 million support grant and an increase in financial support to $2.2 million per year, or a total $11.6 million.

100 Iowa nurses honored for courage, competence

Nine nurses from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics were included in the first class of "100 Great Nurses of Iowa." The event, which honors courage, competence, and commitment, is sponsored by community leaders, UI College of Nursing, Iowa Nurses Association's Iowa Nurses Foundation, and Iowa Hospital Association. UI nursing honorees included Anna Beadle, Beverly Folkedahl, Lynette Harstock, Jacqueline Heinle, Kim Kuennen, Jody Kurtt, Mark Miksch, Patricia Schwickerath, and Patricia Wehrle.

Hospital receives award for high rate of organ donation

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is among an elite group of U.S. hospitals that received a special award recognizing success in achieving a high rate of organ donation among potential donors. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, awarded the first Organ Donation Medals of Honor to hospitals achieving organ donation rates of 75 percent or higher in a 12-month period. The UI Hospitals and Clinics rate was 81 percent.

Patrick Hitchon, M.D.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics neurosurgeon Patrick Hitchon, M.D., should have been included in the Best Doctors(r) database published in the Summer 2005 issue of PACEMAKER.