U.S. News & World Report names VCU Medical Center No. 1 hospital in Virginia
The report also recognized the hospital as the best in the metro Richmond area for the 16th consecutive year. Additionally, cardiology and orthopaedics are ranked among the nation’s best.
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By Danielle Pierce
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center has been named a 2026-2027 Best Hospital by the U.S. News & World Report, ranking No. 1 in Virginia
“VCU Health is where world-class discovery meets life-saving care. As a teaching and research-based health system, our mission is to combine innovation, impactful discovery, and solutions that save and transform human lives,” said Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of Virginia Commonwealth University. “This ranking reflects our ability to deliver the highest levels of tertiary and quaternary care to the commonwealth, driven by dedicated teams who turn emerging and timely research into healing every day. We remain committed to ensuring that every Virginian has access to the very best healthcare in the world.”
The publication also ranked VCU Medical Center No. 1 in the Richmond metro area for the 16th consecutive year, underscoring the consistency, dedication and unwavering compassion demonstrated each day by VCU Health team members
“These outstanding rankings for VCU Medical Center reflect what we’ve always known to be true across the health system: our dedicated and experienced team members put patients first,” said Marlon Levy, M.D., CEO of VCU Health. “From routine to complex care, patients can trust VCU Health, and we take immense pride in seeing that reflected in our recent rankings.”Of the nearly 4,500 hospitals evaluated as part of the annual list, only 16% of hospitals earned a Best Hospitals designation
“It is an honor for VCU Medical Center to be recognized as number one in Virginia and, for 16 years running, in Richmond as well,” said Jim Willis, president of VCU Medical Center. “Driven by a purposeful mission, our team members work tirelessly toward excellent patient care, outcomes, safety and experience. These rankings reaffirm our efforts and our dedication to being the best we can be for the communities we serve.”
VCU Medical Center has been named a 2026-2027 Best Hospital by the U.S. News & World Report, ranking No. 1 in Virginia.
VCU Medical Center is nationally ranked in cardiology and orthopaedics
U.S. News also recognized the health system’s flagship hospital among the best in the nation in two specialties
In the survey, VCU Medical Center was ranked No. 29 in the nation for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery and honored as the top hospital for heart care in Virginia. Cardiology and cardiothoracic and vascular surgery services at VCU Medical Center are managed and delivered by VCU Health Pauley Heart Center
The orthopaedics program at VCU Medical Center is ranked No. 44 in the country and is the top hospital in Virginia for orthopaedic care. This ranking recognizes VCU Medical Center’s ability to combine research, technology and medical expertise to provide individualized care to each patient. From diagnosis to rehabilitation, patients are able to get the full scope of orthopaedic treatment from VCU Health
Bringing the power of an academic medical center closer to home
Being recognized as the best hospital in the state does not happen by chance. It is the result of exceptional team members, an unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, groundbreaking research and the education of future healthcare leaders; all of which define the strengths of a premiere academic medical center
Patricia Sime, M.D., chair of Internal Medicine at VCU Health, is one of the many examples of the powerful synergy that defines an academic medical center
As both a researcher and practicing physician, Sime is reshaping the global approach to the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis through a seamless integration of research, patient care, and education. From groundbreaking discoveries in the laboratory to real-world clinical applications, Sime’s work is giving hope to patients living with a disease that was once marked by limited treatment options. Sime’s bench-to-bedside approach exemplifies how academic medicine drives innovation, improves outcomes and advances care for future generations.
“It is such a privilege to share in our patients’ journeys, to conduct the research that improves the treatments of tomorrow, and to train our highly motivated learners,” Sime said. “It truly takes a team with the patient, and their family, right at the center, providing us all with the inspiration to do better every day.”
VCU Medical Center is ‘High Performing’ in several specialties, procedures and conditions
In addition to the top hospital accolade and national rankings for cardiology and orthopaedics, three adult specialties (cancer, gastroenterology and GI surgery, and neurology and neurosurgery) and 20 adult procedures and conditions were designated as ‘High Performing’ by U.S. News
Cancer care services, managed by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, ranked No. 1 in the Richmond metro area. This is the first year that U.S. News has listed certain specialty rankings by region
‘High Performing’ is the highest distinction a hospital can earn as part of the U.S. News’ Best Hospitals procedures and conditions ratings. Fewer than half of the thousands of hospitals evaluated earned a ‘High Performing’ designation in the types of care evaluated by U.S. News
For more information, visit U.S News & World Report Best Hospitals
- Rankings and recognition
