Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Ranks in Top 50 Best Children’s Hospitals in the Nation for Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Gastroenterology

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health has earned U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Top 50 Best Children’s Hospitals in the nation for Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Pediatric Gastroenterology & GI Surgery. This is the second consecutive year that the hospital has earned this ranking in these areas.

Now in its 17^th year, the publication’s annual ranking system is designed to assist families and their physicians in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions. The rankings are measured by key areas including surgical outcomes, quality, patient experience and peer reputation.

“We are incredibly proud of the recognition that Oklahoma Children’s Hospital has received by U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Top 50 Best Children’s Hospitals in the nation for our specialties in Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Pediatric Gastroenterology & GI Surgery,” said Richard Lofgren, M.D., MPH, OU Health president and CEO. “This year’s rankings reflect the commitment our team has in providing Oklahomans with such a high level of care that they truly do not need to leave the state.”

Both programs were able to demonstrate improved rankings because of continued focus on clinical outcomes and continued investments by OU Health into these programs. OU Health created a new hybrid pediatric catheterization lab, complete with ambient lighting, as well as added two new procedure rooms outfitted for pediatric endoscopies. In addition, the pediatric gastroenterology team dedicated resources to grow its parent and family support group.

Leaders of these programs include Harold Burkhart, M.D., cardiothoracic surgery; Arshid Mir, M.D., pediatric cardiology; Muhammad Altaf, M.D., pediatric gastroenterology; and Catherine Hunter, M.D., pediatric surgery.

“These physician leaders have built incredible programs,” said Stephanie DeLeon, M.D., associate chief medical officer for children’s services. “They are each nationally respected in their fields, and they have focused on bringing lifesaving treatments to Oklahoma’s children while simultaneously ensuring these programs have the highest level of care, experience and safety.”

“This recognition is an honor for our clinical and non-clinical staff,” said Kendal Pinkston, chief administrative officer for children’s services. “All of us at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital take pride in caring for all patients, and we are proud of this accomplishment.”

The cardiology team at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital includes highly experienced pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons using the most advanced surgical technologies, minimally invasive techniques and clinical trials. They perform more than 500 surgeries each year, with an open-heart surgery survival rate of 98.8%. This rate stands above the national average regardless of the complexity of the surgery.

The comprehensive pediatric cardiology program at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital cares for all children and adults with pediatric and acquired heart disease. Services include a nationally accredited imaging program with echocardiography and fetal echocardiography services, advanced MRI and CT imaging systems, and a hybrid catheterization lab for interventional programs. More than 10,000 clinic visits are conducted each year for patients referred to the programs.

Over 12,000 clinical visits and 1,800 procedures a year are conducted by the gastroenterology team at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. Specialized programs include Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Transplant, Intestinal Rehabilitation, Aerodigestive Disorders, Gastrointestinal Motility, Fatty Liver and Cystic Fibrosis.

The gastroenterology program offers one of only a few Transnasal Awake endoscopy and GI Motility disorder centers in the nation and is the founding member center of Improve Care Now, an International IBD Collaborative Quality Improvement network. They also participate in multiple research studies and multi-center clinical drug trials, making it the largest referral center in the state.

Learn more about pediatric heart and gastroenterology services at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health.