U.S. News & World Report has expanded its 2025-26 rankings of top children’s hospitals to include behavioral health, reflecting the rising societal concern over pediatric mental health issues.

The rankings highlight the best hospitals in various pediatric specialties, such as Cincinnati Children's for pediatric cancer, Texas Children's Hospital for pediatric cardiology and neurology, Boston Children's for neonatology, and Children’s Medical Center Dallas-Scottish Rite for orthopedics.

Two New Jersey hospitals, Hackensack Meridian Health’s Sanzari and Hovnanian, along with Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJUH, were recognized in the rankings, with the former tied for No. 10 regionally and the latter ranked No. 16.

The rankings are accessible online, offering resources like Doctor Finder and social media engagement to help families find top pediatric care.

Dr. Fernando Ferrer, Chief Pediatric Officer, attributed the hospitals’ achievements to system-wide collaboration and a focus on providing high-quality care for children.

Amy Murtha, MD, emphasized that the rankings reflect clinical excellence and compassionate care, supported by ongoing research and partnerships with institutions like Rutgers Medical School.

The hospital systems highlighted focus on primary care, specialized treatments, and long-term rehabilitative services, establishing them as leading pediatric health networks.

The full rankings and methodology details are available on USNews.com, reinforcing the hospitals’ roles as trusted local resources for families.

Pediatrician-in-chief Satyan Lakshminrusimha highlighted the dedication of hospital staff in delivering family-centered care for children with complex needs.

Overall, the list underscores the importance of specialized behavioral health services for children and adolescents across the U.S.

Ben Harder from U.S. News stressed that being a top-ranked pediatric hospital signifies regional leadership and comprehensive excellence in pediatric care.

Some hospitals, like the hospital ranked 23rd in pediatric orthopedics and 33rd in pediatric nephrology, demonstrate excellence across multiple specialties.