Eight pediatric specialties earn national recognition in U.S. News & World Report rankings
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital is again ranked the No. 1 children’s hospital in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report, earning the top spot in the state for the seventh consecutive year. The hospital also ranks No. 5 among children’s hospitals in the Southeast, improving from No. 11 last year, and earned national recognition in eight of 11 pediatric specialties, up from six last year.
The recognition underscores MUSC Children’s Health’s role as a regional destination for complex pediatric care, connecting children and families to nationally recognized specialists close to home and across the region.
MUSC Health’s Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery program ranks No. 6 in the nation, continuing its longstanding recognition among the country’s elite pediatric heart programs. The Top 10 ranking reflects the exceptional care and dedication of those who serve children and families across South Carolina and beyond.
MUSC Health’s Pediatric Cancer program ranks No. 9 nationally for clinical outcomes, highlighting the strength of its specialized care and its measurable impact for children with cancer and their families. The program ranks No. 32 nationally overall and No. 5 in the Southeast.
MUSC Health’s Pediatric and Adolescent Behavioral Health program also ranks among the top 50 nationally and is the only ranked program of its kind among hospitals in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
“These rankings reflect the expertise and dedication our teams bring to children and families every day. Being recognized as the No. 1 children’s hospital in South Carolina, No. 5 in the Southeast and nationally ranked in eight pediatric specialties demonstrates the breadth and continued strength of our programs,” said Mark A. Scheurer, M.D., MUSC Health chief of Children’s and Women’s Services.
The eight nationally ranked specialties are:
- No. 6: Cardiology & Heart Surgery.
- No. 32: Cancer.
- No. 35: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery.
- No. 37: Urology.
- No. 39: Orthopedics.
- No. 47: Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health.
- No. 48: Nephrology.
- No. 48: Pulmonology & Lung Surgery.
U.S. News & World Report publishes the annual rankings to help families seeking care for children with complex or rare conditions to identify hospitals equipped to meet their needs.
“We are proud of the physicians, nurses and care teams whose work earned national recognition across eight pediatric specialties. This recognition reinforces MUSC Health’s commitment to providing high-quality, specialized care for children throughout South Carolina and the region,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., CEO of MUSC Health and executive vice president for Health Affairs, University.
Each year, U.S. News & World Report adjusts the methodology used to determine its Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. For 2026-2027, U.S. News removed or simplified survey items related to programs, services, staffing, outcomes and other measures. The rankings continue to evaluate hospitals across structure, process and outcomes, with methodology variations for select specialties, including Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health.
