CHoR is named to the national publication’s 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospitals list in six specialties. 

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU has once again been named a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. 

Since 2007, U.S. News & World Report has published its Best Children’s Hospitals rankings to help parents, caregivers and medical professionals identify hospitals that provide the best possible specialized care for children with serious illnesses or complex medical needs.

In the 2026-2027 rankings released today, CHoR made the list in nephrology (#24), urology (#35), pulmonology and lung surgery (#36), orthopaedics (#37) and cancer (#40). The hospital also landed among the top 50 in pediatric and adolescent behavioral health (rankings are not numbered in this specialty).

The publication also placed CHoR among the top 10 children’s hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes seven states and the District of Columbia.

“As board chair, I’m excited to see this recognition of CHoR’s continued growth and exceptional care. Children from 47 states traveled to CHoR last year alone because their families realized the expert pediatric specialty care they needed was best delivered right here,” said Diana Cantor, chair of the VCU Health System Authority Board of Directors.

U.S. News rankings reflect quality, safety and coordinated care for kids at CHoR

"Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU represents the best of our mission where research, clinical excellence and compassionate care come together to serve our youngest patients and their families," said Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of Virginia Commonwealth University. "These rankings reflect the commitment of our exceptionally talented physician-faculty, researchers and staff to bring access to safe, life-enhancing and life-saving care to families in the region, the commonwealth and the east coast." 

CHoR is the only hospital in Virginia to rank among the best for pediatric cancer in 2026-2027.  This year also marks the 12th national ranking for CHoR’s nephrology program, which is dedicated to treating children with kidney concerns ranging from routine to extremely rare conditions, including those requiring transplants.

“Whether they are receiving a life-altering diagnosis, second opinion or specialized treatment, families turn to our teams for care when they need the best. These U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals rankings affirm our commitment to providing this quality, safe and innovative care,” said Elias Neujahr, MHA, MBA, president of CHoR. “In the months ahead, we will add 24 acute care beds and additional outpatient spaces so our teams can continue to deliver on this promise for every family who needs us.”

The rankings also underscore that CHoR is the place to seek pediatric orthopaedic care in the region. Myles Ingram’s recovery from a catastrophic knee injury that almost derailed his promising future in athletics is a prime example. 

“Our team specializes in caring for children from birth through the teen years, with the tools, techniques and understanding to treat bones and muscles that are still developing. Whether we are reconstructing a knee in the operating room, as in Myles’ case, conducting a complex spine surgery or recommending a course of care for an infant with a congenital condition, we must consider how our treatment will impact the child for years to come,” said James Engels, M.D., chief of pediatric orthopaedic surgery at CHoR. “Our pediatric orthopaedic team and clinical spaces are growing in the coming months so our region can continue to rely on us.”

All of CHoR’s ranked specialties are supported by Children’s Hospital Foundation. 

“Generous community support through Children’s Hospital Foundation makes CHoR truly unstoppable. It fuels groundbreaking research and exceptional care in environments that promote the health and wellbeing of every child,” said Marlon Levy, M.D., chief executive officer of VCU Health System. 

The data behind determining U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals 

Hospitals from across the country submitted data, and only 50 could be recognized among the best in each specialty. U.S. News partnered with North Carolina-based research firm RTI International to analyze this data, along with survey input from thousands of pediatric experts to identify the “Best” hospitals.