Dell Children’s Medical Center has achieved national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals list, securing rankings in seven pediatric specialties. This marks the fourth consecutive year the hospital has been nationally ranked, with improvements noted in each specialty.
The hospital’s Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery program is now ranked No. 10 in the nation, rising from No. 30 last year and No. 48 in 2023. The program is led by Charles Fraser, Jr., MD, who played a key role in founding the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease.
Other specialties ranked include Neonatology (No. 36), Pediatric Orthopedics (No. 31), Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery (No. 25), Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery (No. 27, tie), Pediatric Urology (No. 49, tie), and Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health (Top 50).
Adam Messer, President of Dell Children’s Medical Center, said, “We are incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly to provide the highest quality care for our patients. These national rankings are a testament to their dedication and commitment to excellence in all aspects of the compassionate and quality care we provide on a daily basis, and we share this recognition with the pediatric provider community in Central Texas who partner with us to achieve these outcomes. Our hospital continues to be a destination for the treatment of complex conditions, and we are committed to our ministry’s mission of serving our community and beyond with the best care possible.”
The hospital’s collaboration with Dell Medical School and Ascension Seton is credited for enhancing the reputation of its pediatric cardiology program and other specialties through research, education, and patient care.
Claudia Lucchinetti, M.D., dean of Dell Medical School and senior vice president for medical affairs at UT Austin, stated, “Academic medicine doesn’t just raise the standard of care — it expands what’s possible. This progress shows the strength of our faculty and the momentum behind our mission — to build a more connected health system that delivers world-class care.”
Dell Children’s Medical Center serves as Central Texas’s only comprehensive children’s hospital and Level I pediatric trauma center. The hospital was established by local pediatricians to provide specialized family-centered care across the region. Its North Campus opened in 2023 and now holds a Level III trauma designation, broadening access to emergency and specialized pediatric services.
For the latest rankings, U.S. News worked with RTI International to analyze data from 198 children’s hospitals nationwide. Of these, 118 hospitals provided sufficient information for ranking consideration. Hospitals recognized as “Best” demonstrated strong clinical outcomes, adherence to best practices, and robust resources dedicated to patient care.
