The UC Davis Medical Center scored in the top 50 in the newest hospital rankings from U.S. News & World Report, and received “best of class” honors from the Institute for Diversity in Health Management.

U.S. News & World Report examined 5,000 hospitals around the nation, ranking them in 16 specialties — with the UC Davis orthopedics division rated 35th and the cancer unit 50th.

The magazine’s report, “Best Hospitals 2010-11,” went online July 15.

“We are delighted with this recognition from U.S. News,” said Ann Rice, chief executive officer at the medical center. “It is one of several indicators we use to monitor our ongoing efforts to provide excellent patient care and improve health outcomes for our community, the region and beyond.”

Only two other Northern California hospitals ranked in the top 50 for cancer: UCSF and Stanford.

Ralph deVere White, director of the UC Davis Cancer Center, said he was gratified that the U.S. News rankings recognized UC Davis’ excellence in cancer research and clinical care.

"We are one of only 65 hospitals in the country with a cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute, and have recently expanded our reach through our Cancer Care Network of community hospitals in Truckee, Pleasanton, Merced and Marysville," he said. "This recognition represents our national standing as a community resource that is doing all it can to better people’s lives through excellent cancer care.”

Only three other Northern California hospitals ranked in the top 50 for orthopedics: UCSF, Stanford and John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

“The UC Davis Department of Orthopedic Surgery is a leader in state-of-the-art orthopedic surgery, research and education, with a world-renowned Level 1 trauma center and a musculoskeletal research center that are among the nation’s most sophisticated and interdisciplinary,” said Paul DiCesare, medical director and chair of orthopedic surgery.

The U.S. News survey also showed UC Davis with one of the highest nurse-to-patient ratios in the nation: 2.8 registered nurses per bed. In cancer, only the Mayo Clinic boasted a higher ratio, with three nurses per bed. In orthopedics, only the Mayo and Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis boasted higher ratios, both with three nurses per bed.

In preparing “Best Hospitals 2010-11,” the magazine also examined death rates, volume, reputation, and the availability of medical technology, among other factors.

Diversity initiatives

The Institute for Diversity in Health Management, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association, accorded “best-in-class” status to only 10 hospitals nationwide. Of them, only the UC Davis Medical Center and one other received multiple “best-in-class” distinctions and “promising practices” recognition.

The honors stemmed from the institute’s first-of-its-kind survey, “State “State of Health Care Diversity and Disparities: A Benchmark Study of U.S. Hospitals” — designed to produce a snapshot of the hospital industry’s progress on promoting diversity, and to help hospitals assess and improve their internal diversity programs.

The institute judged the UC Davis Medical Center “best of class” in three out of four survey categories: expanding the diversity of the medical center’s governance body and leadership team; strengthening a diverse work force; and delivering culturally and linguistically competent patient care.

The institute recognized the medical center for employing “promising practices” in the fourth category: effectively engaging the diverse communities that the organization serves.

"These awards exemplify UC Davis' long history of and commitment to offering a learning environment that is culturally richer and more vibrant than at most other universities," Chancellor Linda Katehi said.

“UC Davis Medical Center’s success and our ongoing campuswide efforts to make even greater strides will be felt in our communities for generations. Health professionals from diverse backgrounds will have a tremendous impact on the delivery of culturally sensitive care, dramatically improving the health of entire populations.”

The Institute for Diversity in Health Management based its survey on research in culturally competent patient care, health care disparities and leadership.

Some of this research is included in “Strategies for Leadership,” a diversity and cultural-competency assessment tool that institute created in conjunction with the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Hospital Association and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. Other research came from The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States; and the National Public Health and Hospital Institute’s collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the Disparities Solutions Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.

As the venue for recognizing the UC Davis Medical Center and other hospitals that participated in the survey, the institute chose its National Leadership and Education Conference, held in Chicago in June.

As part of the conference, Jared Quinton, administrative fellow at the UC Davis Medical Center, participated in a panel discussion to share best practices that promote diversity in leadership and governance.