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10 pediatric specialties earn national rankings in U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals rankings
Cleveland Clinic Children’s provides care at more than 50 outpatient sites with a team of more than 400 pediatric specialists and subspecialists.
Cleveland Clinic Children's earned national recognition in 10 specialties in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 “Best Children’s Hospitals” rankings.
For 18 consecutive years, Cleveland Clinic Children’s has ranked among the nation’s top 50 pediatric hospitals. This year, neonatology and cardiology and heart surgery ranked among the nation's top 20 pediatric specialty programs.
“We are grateful for the commitment of our caregivers and the trust families place in Cleveland Clinic Children’s every day,” said Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair of Cleveland Clinic. “Our caregivers are a source of hope for children and families during some of the most important moments in their lives. We will continue to advance pediatric medicine and improve care for children today and for generations to come.”
Cleveland Clinic Children’s nationally recognized specialty rankings include:
Regionally, Cleveland Clinic Children’s was recognized as the No. 3 pediatric hospital in Ohio and No. 6 (tie) in the Midwest.
Over the past year, Cleveland Clinic Children’s caregivers contributed to several advancements in pediatric care, including:
“One of the things that makes pediatric care so special is the opportunity to care for children at every stage of life and support the families who are right beside them,” said Rita Pappas, M.D., who leads Cleveland Clinic Children’s as Chief of Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s and Children’s Institute. “I see that commitment every day in our caregivers. Whether a child comes to us for a routine visit or a complex medical condition, our teams work together to provide the personalized care and support each child and family deserves. I'm proud to see that dedication reflected in these rankings.”
Cleveland Clinic Children’s provides care for infants, children and adolescents across Northeast Ohio through more than 50 outpatient sites and a team of more than 400 pediatric specialists and subspecialists. Building on more than a century of caring for children and families, Cleveland Clinic Children’s serves the largest pediatric patient population of any children’s hospital in Northeast Ohio.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the “Best Children's Hospitals” rankings recognize the top 50 children's hospitals in 11 specialties. For the 2026-2027 rankings, U.S. News, in collaboration with RTI International, collected and analyzed data from 114 children's hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children's hospitals earning a “Best” designation excelled in areas such as clinical outcomes, adherence to established best practices, and hospital resources related to patient care. The rankings are available at https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/pediatric-rankings.
Black Eye on Baby Monitor Helps Mother Uncover Daughter's Rare Eye Cancer
Ask 3-year-old Miley Draime how she overcame a rare eye cancer and she’ll reply, “Miley’s strong,” with a clenched fist and determined smile. Learn how seeing a black eye on a baby monitor helped lead her family to a diagnosis of retinoblastoma.
Read Miley’s story.
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One of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Smallest Babies Defies Expectations After 153 Days in NICU
Essence Pinkney was the size of a soda can when she was born at 24 weeks. Weighing just 12 ounces, she’s among the smallest babies cared for at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Every breath required specialized care and teamwork. After 153 days in the NICU, she’s home and growing stronger each day.
Read Essence’s story.
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Boy With Advanced Liver Cancer Thriving After Lifesaving Living Organ Donation From Aunt
Before his first birthday, Crew Dearth was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer that had already spread to his lungs. He ultimately needed a liver transplant as part of his treatment. That's when his aunt stepped up to be his living donor.
Read Crew’s story.
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Girl’s Hope Renewed After Heart Transplant, Following Over 200 Days In Hospital
One year ago, Ava Cooper exclaimed, “Daddy, I’m getting a heart!” after more than 200 days of waiting.She celebrated her first heart transplant anniversary and progress after undergoing a surgery that gave her a second chance at life.
Read Ava’s story.
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Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a part of the Cleveland Clinic health system and offers full medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents. Cleveland Clinic Children’s supports 389 beds in four acute care hospitals and one post-acute specialty hospital. In addition, pediatric services are available at more than 50 outpatient clinic locations across Northeast Ohio. A staff of more than 400 full-time pediatricians and sub-specialists see more than one million pediatric visits each year and provide hospital care for 13,000 children per year. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a non-profit, multi-specialty academic medical center integrating clinical care, research, and education. Cleveland Clinic Children’s consistently ranks among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Visit us online at www.clevelandclinic.org/childrens and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clevelandclinicchildrens.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.
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