UT MD Anderson repeats as nation’s top hospital for cancer in annual survey

MD Anderson News Release July 15, 2013

MD Anderson News Release 07-16-13

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

According to the U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” survey, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is the nation’s top hospital for cancer care, a ranking it has held for seven straight years.

In the last 12 years, the institution has ranked No. 1 in cancer care 10 times. Since 1990, when the survey began, it has been listed as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the nation.

Also nationally ranked are three MD Anderson specialties, including ear, nose and throat (No. 3); gynecology (No. 6); and urology (No. 43). Its orthopedic, neurosurgery, nephrology, psychiatry and geriatrics services were named as “High Performing” specialties.

MD Anderson’s Children’s Cancer Hospital was ranked No. 21 in the nation in a separate survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report earlier this year.

“MD Anderson is honored and humbled to be named the top hospital for cancer care in the nation by US News & World Report’s annual survey,” said Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., president of the institution. “This is a recognition that MD Anderson will never take for granted. We will earn – and represent – this honor every day through our extraordinary care, compassion, innovation and service and most of all, by putting patients first.”

"I am elated that UT M.D. Anderson has once again been named the No.1 hospital for cancer care. However, the distinction comes as no surprise for those familiar with the extraordinary  breakthroughs that happen there every day. MD Anderson faculty provide world-class patient care and are redefining the fight against cancer and improving the lives of people all over the world. This is indeed important work and there is nowhere, in my opinion, that does it better," said Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., chancellor of The University of Texas System.

MD Anderson continues as one of the largest cancer centers in the world, last year serving more than 115,000 people, nearly one-third of them new patients. Many come to the institution seeking the latest therapies, diagnostics, surgical techniques and prevention strategies. About 8,500 patients were registered on clinical trials exploring new treatments last year, making it home to the largest clinical trials program for cancer in the nation.

MD Anderson’s clinical outreach goes beyond the Texas Medical Center and Houston with regional care centers in The Woodlands, Bay Area, Sugar Land and Katy as well as a network of 14 national and international locations. Most recently, the institution announced an agreement to provide comprehensive cancer care services at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, N.J.   

MD Anderson also extends services to the underserved community by overseeing and staffing the oncology program at Houston’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Hospital, a component of the Harris Health System.

Patient care revenues contribute to the margin that is immediately returned to support MD Anderson’s mission areas, including research and education. That margin, combined with philanthropy and foundations, state funding for research, private and federal grants and contracts, totaled more than $647 million for institutional research efforts in Fiscal Year 2012. MD Anderson ranks first in the number of grants awarded, including 12 Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grants, and the total amount of grants from the National Cancer Institute.

Last September, MD Anderson announced its Moon Shots Program which aims to dramatically accelerate the pace of converting scientific discoveries into clinical advances that significantly reduce cancer deaths. The program is focused initially on eight cancers: melanoma, lung, prostate, breast and ovarian as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

MD Anderson employs more than 20,000 people, including more than 1,600 faculty. Last year, more than 1,200 volunteers – many who are cancer survivors – contributed more than 192,000 hours of service that is equivalent to 92 full- time employees.