University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital ranked as the state’s top children’s hospital and No. 12 in the Midwest region in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings, released Oct. 7.
According to a release, the hospital earned recognition in six specialty categories: neonatology (19th), pediatric diabetes and endocrinology (33rd), pediatric urology (36th), pediatric nephrology (38th), pediatric cancer (48th), and pediatric and adolescent behavioral health (top 50).
U.S. News defines the Midwest region as Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
“Receiving such high, national recognition for our children’s hospital speaks to the culture and impact of our incredible pediatric care teams who are dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of our youngest patients through both clinical and research excellence,” said Dr. Denise Jamieson, UI vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “Our entire institution can be proud of how we invest in the future of Iowa and beyond by caring for the next generation.”
Stead Family Children’s Hospital has appeared in the rankings every year since U.S. News launched them in 2007.
“The continued recognition of our children’s hospital as a leader in pediatric health care is a testament to the skill and compassion of our care teams and the difference they’ve made in the lives of countless young Iowans,” said Jim Leste, chief administrative officer of Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
The rankings, now in their 19th year, help families and physicians make informed decisions about specialized pediatric care.
“Families place their trust in us to guide them through every health challenge with compassion, expertise and hope,” said Dr. Alexander Bassuk, physician-in-chief of Stead Family Children’s Hospital and chair and departmental executive officer of the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics in the UI Carver College of Medicine. “These rankings affirm our commitment to improving children’s health – through world-class clinical care, pioneering research that leads to new cures and insights, and the education of future pediatricians and pediatric scientists.”
The rankings methodology includes clinical outcomes such as patient survival, infection rates and complications; the level and quality of hospital resources related to patient care including staffing, technology and special services; health care delivery such as infection prevention programs and adherence to best practices; and expert opinion among pediatric specialists.
