MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — U.S. News & World Report released its 2025–26 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings today (Oct. 7), naming WVU Medicine Children’s the top children’s hospital in West Virginia for the fifth consecutive year and one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Two WVU Medicine Children’s programs, Pediatric Urology and Pediatric Behavioral Health earned national rankings.
“This has been a year of incredible advancement for pediatric care at WVU Medicine Children’s,” Michael A. Grace, Ed.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.H.E., president and CEO of WVU Hospitals and senior vice president and COO of WVU Health System, said. “Our teams remain committed to expanding access to world-class care for children and expectant mothers across West Virginia and the surrounding region. This recognition reflects their dedication to excellence and to the families we serve every day.”
WVU Medicine Children’s ranked 15th among hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region, up two spots from last year.
Excellence in pediatric urology
For the eighth consecutive year, WVU Medicine Children’s Pediatric Urology Program earned a national ranking — this year rising to 28th in the nation, up from 44th.
As the state’s only pediatric urology program — and home to West Virginia’s only board-certified pediatric urologist, the team continues to lead in innovation and patient-centered care. WVU Medicine Children’s recently became the first hospital in the nation to offer comprehensive robotic same-day discharge procedures for pediatric urology patients and has pioneered new surgical techniques to reduce complications and improve recovery.
“Our teams are deeply honored to see their work recognized nationally,” Osama Al-Omar, M.D., M.B.A., chief of WVU Medicine Children’s Pediatric Urology, said. “This recognition inspires us to continue advancing care, conducting research, and improving outcomes for children across West Virginia and the region.”
Breakthrough recognition for pediatric behavioral health
For the first time, the WVU Medicine Children’s Neuroscience Center Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry earned a Top 50 national ranking, marking a milestone achievement for pediatric mental healthcare in the state.
“This ranking is a historic milestone that reflects our team’s dedication and the urgent need for high-quality mental healthcare in West Virginia,” Kari-Beth Law, M.D., vice chair of clinical services for the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, said. “It underscores that world-class behavioral healthcare is not only possible here — it’s happening here, every day.”
About the rankings
For the 2025–26 report, U.S. News & World Report, in partnership with RTI International, analyzed data from 118 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists nationwide. Hospitals earning a “Best” designation demonstrated excellence in clinical outcomes, adherence to best practices, and quality of resources dedicated to pediatric care.
“Being a top-ranked pediatric hospital means more than excelling in one specialty — it means being a trusted source of care for your entire region,” Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News & World Report, said. “These hospitals provide families with confidence that exceptional care is available close to home.”
The full 2025–26 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings — including national, regional, and specialty lists — are available at USNews.com.
