UK Golisano Children’s specialized collaborative pediatric care nationally recognized
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2026) — Golisano Children’s at UK’s specialty partnerships with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Shriners Children’s Lexington are once again recognized among the top programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
The recognitions assist parents, in consultation with their children’s doctors, in finding exceptional pediatric care — whether for serious illness, a high-stakes surgery or complex medical needs.
“At the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare, we are committed to ensuring children across the Commonwealth have access to the highest level of care close to home,” said Robert DiPaola, M.D., co-executive vice president for health affairs and provost at UK. “This national recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, care teams and partners who work together every day to improve the health and future of Kentucky’s children.”
“We are especially proud that our collaborations with Cincinnati Children’s and Shriners Children’s continue to expand access to nationally recognized specialty care for families throughout the state,” said Eric Monday, Ph.D., executive vice president for finance and administration and co-executive vice president for health affairs.
“The care children receive today can influence their health and well-being for years to come,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., vice president of children’s health for UK HealthCare and physician-in-chief for Golisano Children’s at UK. “By providing access to nationally recognized pediatric heart and orthopedic programs, our partnerships with Cincinnati Children’s and Shriners Children’s are helping more Kentucky children reach adulthood healthier and better equipped to live full, active lives. Every family deserves access to that level of care, no matter where they call home.”
The Joint Pediatric and Congenital Heart Program, a collaboration between UK Golisano Children’s and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, is ranked 14th in the country in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. The program was created to give Kentucky families access to advanced pediatric and congenital heart care close to home, combining local convenience with the expertise of nationally recognized heart specialists. This ranking also includes patients treated through the adult congenital heart program, a collaboration with UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute for adult patients who were born with congenital heart defects.
“This recognition underscores the power of collaboration in advancing care for children with heart disease,” said Carl L. Backer, M.D., director of UK Golisano’s section of the heart program. “Through our longstanding collaboration with Cincinnati Children’s, we are combining resources and expertise to give Kentucky families access to leading-edge pediatric heart care. Together, we are making it possible for more children to receive outstanding treatment while remaining close to home and the people who matter most.”
UK Golisano Children’s also ranks in the top 50 nationally in pediatric orthopedics. The joint program with Shriners Children’s Lexington offers expert care for children with bone and joint conditions while supporting healthy growth and development.
“This recognition highlights what is possible when organizations work together in service of children and families,” said Vishwas R. Talwalkar, M.D., professor of pediatric orthopedics and chief of staff for Shriners Children’s Lexington. “Through our partnership with Shriners Children’s, we are able to deliver highly specialized comprehensive care, providing patients with access to leading treatments that help them achieve their fullest potential.”
For the 2026-27 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from 114 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.
“Earning a place on U.S. News’ Best Children’s Hospitals list is a testament to Golisano Children’s at UK’s dedication to clinical excellence and patient safety,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “These rankings highlight the standout hospitals in each specialty and each region.”
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the healthcare landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.