Ryan Grant, RN, a clinical nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Nursery, checks on his 15-day-old patient at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco. Photo by Susan Merrell
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals achieved its strongest showing to date in the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals list, tying as the best among children’s hospitals in Northern California. All specialties assessed were nationally recognized for the ninth consecutive year, with four ranking among the nation’s top 10 for the first time.
Neonatology remained the hospitals’ highest-ranked program at No. 6 in the nation. Cancer tied for No. 8 and gastroenterology and GI surgery placed No. 10, while nephrology moved into the top 10 for the first time at No. 9. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals also tied as both No. 2 in California and No. 3 in the Pacific Region.
“Every family should be able to access extraordinary care that is comprehensive, convenient and centered around their child and their needs,” said Suresh Gunasekaran, president and chief executive officer of UCSF Health. “These results reflect the expertise and commitment of our teams, and the strength of the pediatric health system we are building to make that level of care easier to access for more children and families across the region.”
By the Numbers
- Best children’s hospital in Northern California (tie)
- No. 2 children’s hospital in California (tie)
- No. 3 children’s hospital in the Pacific Region (tie)
- Four specialties ranked among the nation’s top 10
- Five specialties improved their national rankings
- No. 6 in neonatology
- No. 9 in nephrology, entering the national top 10 for the first time
- Five specialties best in Northern California: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, orthopedics, and urology
UCSF Benioff Oakland and San Francisco are evaluated together across the 11 ranked specialties, reflecting an integrated pediatric health system that connects children and families to highly specialized care and expertise across the region.
Five specialties ranked as best in Northern California. Cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, and urology retained the region’s top position, while gastroenterology and GI surgery and orthopedics ranked as the best this year.