To create the 2011-12 rankings, U.S. News surveyed nearly 180 pediatric centers, obtaining clinical data and polling 1,500 doctors in 10 pediatric specialties where they would send the sickest children. In all, 76 hospitals ranked in one or more specialties. Eleven hospitals with high scores in at least four specialties were named to the U.S. News Honor Roll. Registered nurses intent on landing the best PICU jobs in the country can view a complete list of Children’s Hospitals Rankings by clicking the link.

The following is a list of Children’s Hospitals that appeared in the top 3 rankings for pediatric specialties, including Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Orthopedics  and more.

• Children’s Hospital Boston and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute topped at #1 for cancer treatment.
• Children’s Hospital Boston captured the #1 spot for cardiology and heart surgery, nephrology and brain surgery, orthopedics and urology.
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is ranked in the top three of 9 of the 10 different pediatric specialties
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center captured the #1 spot for Gastroenterology and was in the Top 3 for three other pediatric specialties.
• Children’s Medical Center-Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children earned a top 3 spot for orthopedics.
• Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health was cited in the top 3 for urology.
• Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is among the top 3 for best providers of neurology and neurosurgery.
• Seattle Children’s Hospital ranked in the top 3 for nephrology.