UAB Hospital Maintains Top Ranking in Alabama and Birmingham Metro Area

UAB Hospital has once again been recognized as the premier healthcare institution in both Alabama and the Birmingham metro area, according to the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings released today.

This accolade underscores the hospital's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional patient care and advancing medical innovation.

“Being recognized as the top hospital in the state and metro area is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our physicians, nurses, and staff,” said Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of the UAB Health System. “These rankings reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care and advancing innovative treatments across a wide range of specialties.”

In the latest rankings, UAB Medicine achieved national recognition in five adult specialties:

Rheumatology at No. 11

Ear, Nose, and Throat at No. 14

Obstetrics and Gynecology at No. 28

Neurology and Neurosurgery at No. 42

Geriatrics at No. 49

Additionally, seven other specialties were rated as high-performing, and the hospital earned high-performing ratings in 19 adult procedures and conditions, highlighting its comprehensive excellence in patient care.

Further emphasizing its leadership in healthcare, UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham secured the No. 4 spot in Alabama and No. 2 in the Birmingham metro area, continuing to provide high-quality care to the community.

These achievements come amid a dynamic period for Alabama's healthcare landscape. In August 2024, Orlando Health acquired a 70% stake in the five-hospital Baptist Health System for approximately $910 million, reflecting ongoing consolidation trends aimed at enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency.

Moreover, in November 2024, the University of Alabama at Birmingham completed the acquisition of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System for $450 million, rebranding it as UAB St. Vincent’s. This strategic move is expected to further strengthen healthcare services in the region.

Despite these advancements, the state faced challenges, including hospital closures due to staffing shortages. Notably, the Thomasville Regional Medical Center suspended operations indefinitely, and the Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston closed its doors in July 2024. These developments highlight the ongoing need for strategic investments and policy initiatives to address healthcare access issues, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Looking ahead, UAB's commitment to healthcare excellence is evident in its ongoing projects. The Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building and the Marnix E. Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation Conference Center are slated to open in 2025, promising to further enhance the institution's research capabilities and patient care services.

As UAB Hospital continues to set the standard for healthcare in Alabama, its consistent recognition reflects the institution's dedication to excellence, innovation, and community service.