Bascom Palmer Eye ranked first in the nation in ophthalmology for 20th consecutive year

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US News & World Report has released its rankings for 2023-2024 “Best Hospitals” and Bascom Palmer Eye has once again topped the chart in ophthalmology, receiving the #1 ranking for the 20th year in a row and the 22nd time.

Best Hospitals evaluates hospitals in more than 30 medical and surgical services, with the objective of providing patients with data-driven decision tools, according to a press release from US News & World Report.¹

The US News & World Report Best Hospitals ranks hospitals that “deliver high-quality treatment across many areas of care.” Outside of ophthalmology, hospitals are also ranked by their care in cancer, cardiology, pediatrics, urology, neurology and more and highlight 484 of the best regional hospitals.

Of the 484 hospitals, 22 are named to the national Honor Roll for ranking in one or more of the specialties that US News evaluates.¹

US News & World Report states that “in 3 specialties – ophthalmology, psychiatry and rheumatology – US News surveyed thousands of board-certified physicians in the field to ask where they refer their sickest patients.”¹

Furthermore, the ranking is determined by “the expert opinion of annually surveyed physicians. Ranked hospitals had to be cited by an average of at least 5% of the ophthalmology specialists who responded to US News physician surveys in 2021, 2022 and 2023.”

"Helping consumers make decisions that are based on facts and driven by data is the cornerstone of our mission," Executive Chairman and CEO of US News & World Report, Eric Gertler said. "Our Health team, consisting of dedicated journalists and data analysts, has decades of experience supporting patients on their healthcare journey through the 'Best Hospitals' rankings and the deep reporting they do for the many stories that accompany these rankings. With unwavering commitment, we strive to help patients, caregivers and their communities."¹

(Image Credit: University of Miami)

Eduardo C Alfonso, MD, director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Kathleen and Stanley J Glaser Chair in Ophthalmology, discussed the hospital’s ranking in a press release from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

"We continue to build on our long tradition of leadership in clinical care, scientific discovery, medical education, and community service," said Alfonso. "Our scientists and clinical researchers are tackling some of the most difficult challenges in ophthalmology while bringing better vision care to patients throughout South Florida and around the world."²

According to the hospital, Bascom Palmer’s team of 1800 staff and faculty has provided more than 290,000 patients with “convenient access to leading-edge vision care.”²

"Today, our researchers use powerful tools like bioinformatics, data analytics, virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence to advance our understanding of glaucoma, macular degeneration, inherited retinal disease and dozens of rare conditions affecting children and adults," said Alfonso. "Our most ambitious research initiative is finding a way to transplant an eye and restore vision through the optic nerve. In addition to potential new therapies for currently untreatable diseases, a successful whole eye transplant could be a breakthrough discovery that offers hope for patients with spinal cord injuries and other nerve-damaging conditions."²

Bascom Palmer’s ophthalmology residency program is also ranked the best in the US by Doximity, an online professional network for US physicians.³

The top 3 hospitals for ophthalmology according to US News are:

1. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-University of Miami Hospitals and Clinics.
2. Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia.
3. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore.

Full rankings of hospitals in ophthalmology as well as a full rankings of best hospitals in adult specialties are available online.

References:

1. U.S. News Announces the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals; US News &World Report. August 1, 2023. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-news-announces-the-2023-2024-best-hospitals-301889804.html

2. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ranked Nation's No. 1 in Ophthalmology for 22nd Time; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. August 1, 2023. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bascom-palmer-eye-institute-ranked-nations-no-1-in-ophthalmology-for-22nd-time-301890121.html

3. Top 10 ophthalmology residency programs, per Doximity. Beckers ASC Review. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.beckersasc.com/ophthalmology/top-10-ophthalmology-residency-programs-per-doximity.html