Shepherd Center Ranks No. 2 in Metro Atlanta Area

Shepherd Center was ranked No. 2 in the Atlanta metro area in U.S. News & World Report's first-ever Best Hospitals metro area rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/hospitals.

Shepherd Center and Emory University Hospital, which ranked No.1, are the only two facilities listed in the Atlanta metro rankings that are also included on the U.S. News & World Report national rankings. In those rankings, which are released each July, Shepherd Center ranks No. 9 among 20 hospitals that earned a spot in the magazine’s national survey of rehabilitation hospitals. Shepherd Center also held the distinction of being the only rehabilitation hospital in the Southeast that is listed in the top 10.

“We are honored to rank among the best hospitals in Atlanta,” said Gary Ulicny, Ph.D., president and CEO of Shepherd Center. “We are excited about the introduction of the metro area Best Hospitals rankings and to be recognized for the high level of care we offer to individuals who’ve experienced a spinal cord, brain injury or neuromuscular disorder.”

The new rankings recognize 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties, including 132 of the 152 hospitals already identified as the best in the nation. There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide.

U.S. News created the Best Hospitals edition more than 20 years ago to identify hospitals exceptionally skilled in handling the most difficult cases, such as brain tumors typically considered inoperable and delicate pancreatic procedures.

The new metro area rankings are relevant to a much wider range of healthcare consumers. They are aimed primarily at consumers whose care may not demand the special expertise found only at a nationally ranked Best Hospital. Patients and their families will have a far better chance of finding a U.S. News-ranked hospital in their health insurance network and might not have to travel to get care at a high-performing hospital.

To be ranked in its metro area, a hospital had to score in the top 25 percent among its peers in at least one of 16 medical specialties.

“All of these hospitals provide first-rate care for the majority of patients, even those with serious conditions or who need demanding procedures,” says Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. “The new Best Hospitals metro rankings can tell you which hospitals are worth considering for most medical problems if you live in or near a major metro area.”

 All hospitals that ranked in Atlanta are listed below. For the full list of metro area rankings, visit www.usnews.com/hospitals.

1. Emory University Hospital

2. Shepherd Center

3. Piedmont Hospital

4. Emory University Hospital Midtown

5. Kennestone Hospital

6. St. Joseph’s Hospital

7. Northside Hospital

7. WellStar Cobb Hospital

9. Emory Eastside Medical Center

10. Grady Memorial Hospital

10. Southern Regional Medical Center