Quick Highlights:
- Our #1 ranked best teaching hospital is Yale New Haven Health Hospital, followed by Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
- These hospitals are noted for high-quality patient care and advanced medical research facilities.
- As teaching hospitals, they provide education and training for medical students.
- They also play a key role in pioneering research and offer specialized services.
Completing a residency at one of the top academic medical centers in the USA can have a significant impact on a medical professional’s future career. Fortunately, many top colleges have stellar medical centers on or near campus where a student can complete residencies and gain professional experience. Many of the best university hospitals and medical centers are actively engaged in cutting edge research.
We created this list of the best university hospitals in the USA to showcase some of the top hospitals and medical centers in the country. These top hospitals are renown for providing excelled health care. Below is our list of academic medical centers that we consider to be the best in the country.
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25. Yale New Haven Health Hospital – New Haven, Connecticut
Yale New Haven Health Hospital is the flagship hospital for the Yale New Haven Health System. YNHH is a 1,541-bed teaching hospital, affiliated with Yale Schools of Medicine and Nursing. Some notable medical breakthroughs took place here including the first successful use of penicillin. Yale New Haven Hospital is known for its adult specialties and family focused care. The hospital includes:
- Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven
- Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
- Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital
The hospital receives mostly positive patient assessments based on overall level of care. Considered the largest hospital complex in New England, the hospital offers a Level I trauma center for adults, teens and children.
24. Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Nashville, Tennessee
Considered a leader in patient care, medical education and research, this 584-bed hospital is home to the only dedicated burn center in the region. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is also known for its award-winning heart transplant program. The hospital often hosts clinical trials involving new medical treatments and innovative drugs.
The medical center operates more than 50 satellite clinics throughout Tennessee and parts of Kentucky. More than a hundred laboratories conduct ongoing research, including many federally and corporately sponsored research efforts. The teaching hospital has received accolades for its effective and efficient conversion to electronic medical records. Nearly 2,000 physicians treat more than a million patients annually.
23. University of Pittsburg Medical Center – Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and its affiliated healthcare and medical facilities consistently place UPMC as one of the top hospitals in the United States among all hospitals. UPMC is noted for its excellent transplant team, including many transplant firsts that have made headlines around the world. They are also recognized for their top-notch cardiac care programs.
UPMC operates 21 hospitals with nearly 5,000 beds along with numerous doctors’ offices and outpatient locations throughout the city and its surrounding communities. UPMC’s Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is ranked among the top pediatric hospitals in the United States. The UPMC Presbyterian campus serves as the medical center’s flagship facility. Additional facilities within the UPMC family include a women’s hospital and a teaching and Level 1 trauma hospital. Many of these facilities are easily accessible from the University of Pittsburgh campus.
22. Froedtert Hospital – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
One of the top teaching hospitals in the country is Froedtert Hospital. Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital is one of only two academic medical centers in Wisconsin. Physicians are engaged in breakthrough research. They receive significant support from the National Institutes of Health and other government research grants. Froedtert Hospital is the only adult Level 1 Trauma Center in eastern Wisconsin.
Froedtert Hospital is considered one of the top hospitals in the nation by Vizient in their 2021 Quality and Accountability Study. They are also a top performer in LGBTQ healthcare equality according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
21. Munson Medical Center – Traverse City, Michigan
Munson Medical Center is a 442-bed hospital recognized as one of the best teaching hospitals in the US. They have a strong partnership with Michigan State University and Northwestern Michigan College. Munson Medical Center features an award-winning heart program and a state-of-the-art cancer center. The medical center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission who ensure the highest quality health care.
20. St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
St. Luke’s University Hospital is the main campus of the St. Luke’s University Health Network. Their 400-bed facility includes a nationally recognized open-heart surgery program. St. Luke’s University Hospital also offer clinical expertise in areas like:
- neuroscience
- orthopedics
- radiology
- vascular disease
St. Luke’s is also a 24-hour Adult Level 1 Trauma Center and Emergency Department. St. Luke’s is the regions only medical school campus.
Among teaching hospitals, St. Luke’s clinical outcomes are outstanding. According to an evaluation by Fortune/Merative, when compared to other hospitals, St. Luke’s had:
- lower 30-day readmission rates
- shorter lengths of stay
- faster emergency care
19. University of North Carolina Rex Hospital – Raleigh, North Carolina
The University of North Carolina Rex Hospital was founded in 1894. It is a private, non-profit health care system that includes:
- an acute care hospital
- five wellness centers
- two skilled nursing facilities
- urgent care centers
- wound healing
- emergency care
- dedicated specialty centers
The University of North Carolina Rex Hospital appears in Leapfrog’s teaching hospital rankings as one of the top hospitals in the country.
18. University of Colorado Hospital – Aurora, Colorado
Considered among the premier academic research institutions, this hospital’s cancer center is nationally accredited as a comprehensive care center. The school also has an excellent nursing program and has been recognized for consistently delivering quality patient care. An expanded emergency department was opened in 2014. The University of Colorado Hospital ranks first in pulmonology care, followed by notable rankings in cancer care and the treatment and prevention of diabetes. Affiliated facilities include:
- separate inpatient and outpatient facilities
- an eye institute
- an addiction and rehabilitation center
- neighborhood clinics
17. University of Chicago Medical Center – Chicago, Illinois
Recognized as a world-class research institute and a neighborhood health care provider, this medical center has had an association with a dozen Nobel Prize winners. As one of the top teaching hospitals, the facility provides millions of dollars in uncompensated care annually while making strides in stem cell research and other patient-centered research. Facilities affiliated with or operating as a part of the University of Chicago Medical Center include:
- Pritzker School of Medicine
- Biological Sciences Division
- Medical Center
- Community Health and Hospital Division
- UChicago Medicine Physicians
According to Leapfrog Hospital Survey Results, the medical center has great clinical outcomes for their patients. UChicago ranks above average in clinical outcomes including infection rates and problems with surgery.
16. Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center – Plainsboro, New Jersey
Princeton Medical Center is one of the most comprehensive medical centers in New Jersey. Dating back to the early 1900s, this facility added a $400 million-plus hospital campus with 231 single-patient rooms with state-of-the-art features and accessories. The facility includes ten centers, each with different specialties ranging from eating disorders to cancer.
The hospital has affiliations with Penn Medicine and Philadelphia’s Children’s Hospital. Princeton Medical Center has earned high ratings in patient safety and overall patient satisfaction.
15. Sanford USD Medical Center – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sanford USD Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in the Midwest. They are the teaching hospital for the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. Sanford USD Medical Center offers the latest in innovative health care in areas like:
- transplant services
- children’s care
- neuroscience
- sports medicine
Sanford has a Level II Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. They offer the only Pediatric Trauma Center in South Dakota.
14. University of Utah Hospital – Salt Lake City, Utah
Affiliated with the University of Utah, this hospital recently added a multi-specialty center. The hospital also has a unique patient care pavilion and a health and wellness center. On the education side, the hospital offers training in approximately 200 medical specialties, including:
- gynecology
- geriatrics
- oncology
- cardiology
The hospital, with a staff of over 1,100 board certified physicians spread throughout the main hospital and ten local clinics, has received many positive patient ratings including top rankings for clinical outcomes. University Hospital in Salt Lake City also operated several specialty centers, including a diabetes center and a cardiovascular center.
13. UC San Francisco Health – San Francisco, California
The University of California, San Francisco Medical Center has highly rated patient ratings based on care that ranges from basic checkups to organ transplants. The Magnet-accredited hospital is one of the top hospitals in the United States. The medical center is noted for its groundbreaking research programs involving AIDS, cancer and the search for innovative treatments. UCSF Medical Center family of care includes:
- UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center of Parnassus Heights
- UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion
- UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Clinics
- Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians
- UCSF Faculty Practice
12. UC San Diego Medical Center – San Diego, California
As one of the top hospitals in the San Diego area, UC San Diego Medical Center offers a variety of patient health care options and preventative care programs. The academic facility also includes a highly-rated cardiovascular center. The hospital, with a goal of advancing medical discoveries, made headlines with breakthrough research involving brain tumors.
The medical center has the only burn center in the region along with a one of two Level 1 trauma centers in the area and a Level III neonatal care unit. The medical center also includes a stroke care center focusing on the treatment of stroke victims and research to detect stroke risks as early as possible.
11. UAB Hospital – Birmingham, Alabama
A Level 1 trauma center, the UAB Hospital is located directly on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus, echoing a common benefit of many university and college hospitals for students looking to be close to highly-rated medical facilities. The 1,157-bed facility provide a wide range of comprehensive patient care, ranging from emergency care to long-term treatments. The hospital is also considered a major center for innovative treatments and clinical research.
The hospital’s healthcare providers, including a mix of specialists from around the world and highly-rated nursing staff, has been recognized for providing world-class health care. UAB Hospital’s diverse resources include:
- a trauma and burn center
- a heart care center
- an ambulatory clinic
- a genetics clinic
- a prenatal care clinic
The teaching hospital, noted for its comprehensive cancer care center that’s unique to the region. They also encourage blood donations through a blood donation center where patients can donate their own blood for surgery or students can come to donate blood when supplies are low.
10. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Noted for excellence in patient care, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital ranks among the best hospitals in the country for orthopedic care. The Magnet-designated school is noted for nursing excellence and patient-centered care. The hospital, with 957 acute care beds, ranks high in-patient satisfaction surveys.
Affiliated medical facilities are located throughout the city and surrounding communities for easy access to a wide range of patient care solutions. The hospital offers premier programs addressing:
- bone and joint issues
- sports-related injuries
- women’s health issues
- surgical services
Some of the specialist physicians on staff also serve the Philadelphia Eagles football team in areas such as orthopedics, neurosurgery and sports medicine.
9. Stanford Healthcare – Stanford, California
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Standford Medicine is one of the top medical centers in the country. It is comprised of three institutions including:
- Stanford School of Medicine
- Stanford Health Care
- Stanford Children’s Health
The facilities within this medical group offer specialized care ranging from neurology and cancer care to cardiac care to neurosurgery. The hospital is also a world-renowned center for organ transplants. An outpatient cancer center was recently added to the hospital, which ranks among the top 20 hospitals nationwide for its various cancer treatment programs. The hospital also has earned national rankings for its ear, nose and throat programs.
8. Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital – Indianapolis, Indiana
An award-winning Magnet hospital, Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital is the flagship facility of IU Health, comprised of 16 hospitals throughout the region. Indiana University Health is the largest physician network in the state. The medical center has a unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine. This relationship allows patients to access state-of-the-art medicine and treatment options.
IU Health offers a full range of medical services in areas like:
- cancer
- neuroscience
- orthopedics
- transplant services
IU Health is dedicated to improving clinical outcomes and evaluating hospital quality.
7. Penn Presbyterian Medical Center – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center is known around the world for its research and clinical excellence, including offering innovative treatments and developing effective preventative care procedures. The 784-bed hospital include a staff of approximately 2,000 physicians and specialists. The facility is highly ranked in more than a dozen adult specialties.
Penn Medicine physicians have helped make critical discoveries in the field of medicine including:
- creating the first general pneumonia vaccine
- developing MRI and other imaging technology
- discovering the Philadelphia chromosome which revolutionized cancer research
6. Hackensack University Medical Center – Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack University Medical Center is one of the top teaching hospitals in the eastern US. They have the state’s only nationally ranked Urology and Neurology and Neurosurgery programs. Hackensack is known for their effective treatment of conditions like acute kidney failure and COPD. The campus is home to facilities like:
- Health and Vascular Hospital
- Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavillion
- Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital
In 2019, the hospital began the largest ever healthcare expansion project approved by the state. The Helena Theurer Pavillion will house 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms, 50 ICU beds, and 175 med/surg beds.
5. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center – Los Angeles, California
Ranked among the top five hospitals in the United States, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center rates high for overall patient care. The medical center is also one of the top teaching hospitals in the country. The UCLA Medical Center includes:
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
- Steward and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA
- UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
Each floor of the hospital has state of the art equipment and supplies. Every flood has:
- a satellite pharmacy
- dialysis storage
- respiratory therapy workrooms
- resident doctor sleep rooms
The hospital is also rated as one of the “best places in Los Angeles to have a baby” due to its exceptional prenatal care programs and infant care facilities. The preferred medical provider of the Lakers, this medical center is also noted for its comprehensive medical support and mental health programs.
4. Emory University Hospital – Atlanta, Georgia
Staffed exclusively by School of Medicine faculty, this 579-bed hospital is considered a leader in:
- oncology
- cardiology
- neurosciences
- transplantation
Ranked as one of the top teaching hospitals in Georgia, Emory has earned praise for its wide range of specialties. Emory is also noted for several innovative firsts, including corneal transplants and angioplasty. The hospital has made great strides in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. While welcoming anybody in need of medical care, the medical center specializes in acute care, leading the way in the quality health care in the fields of:
- cardiology
- oncology
- organ transplants
More than 30,000 patients visit the hospital’s emergency department facilities in Atlanta annually.
3. Duke University Hospital – Durham, North Carolina
Once a small regional hospital, Duke University Hospital is now a world-renowned 924-bed academic hospital. Part of the “Research Triangle of North Carolina” that includes top hospitals like UNC Hospitals and WakeMed Raleigh. The hospital is also noted for several innovative medical first, including the world’s first brain tumor program and the first outpatient program specific to bone marrow issues. The hospital operates an innovative MRI center dedicated exclusively to cardiac care.
2. Baystate Medical Center – Springfield, Massachusetts
Affiliated with UMass Chan Medical School, this 716-bed academic and teaching hospital and its related facilities is noted for its innovative Hospital of the Future. The emergency department is the second busiest in Massachusetts. Many of the medical center’s affiliated centers are considered among the best healthcare facilities in the state. These include the Baystate Children’s Hospital and Wesson Women and Infants’ Unit. Baystate Medical Center is home to the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center.
Baystate has also received numerous accolades for patient safety and overall quality of patient care. Baystate has 10 residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
1. Baylor University Medical Center – Dallas, Texas
Known for offering the latest cancer-fighting techniques, this 1,065-bed health system includes six specific medical facilities. It has received high national ratings for:
- urology
- gynecology
- orthopedics
- heart care
In 2012, an innovative, multimillion dollar cancer center was opened as part of this medical center. The individual facilities within this medical system have received high ratings for patient care. The medical center also has an excellent physician and nurse training program, with many students going on to work for the hospital. With over 1,200 physicians on staff and over a thousand available beds, the medical center and its affiliated centers serve much of the Dallas area.
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