U.S. News Ranks Northwestern Neurology and Neurosurgery among the Nation's Top 10

Northwestern's neurology and neurosurgery program climbs to 7th in the nation and remains highest ranked in Illinois and Chicago  

CHICAGO, July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Northwestern Memorial Hospital's neurology and neurosurgery program has been ranked as 7th in the country on the U.S. News & World Report 2013-14 Best Hospitals specialty rankings released on Tuesday, July 16. This is the first year Northwestern Memorial has been recognized in the top 10 for neurology and neurological surgery, jumping four places from last year's 11th ranking, making it once again the highest ranked neuro program in Illinois and Chicago for the 7th consecutive year.

Along with celebrating the U.S. News recognition, Northwestern also recently named two internationally regarded physicians as the new leadership in neurosciences: Dimitri Krainc, MD, PhD, as the chair of the department of neurology, and Andrew T. Parsa, MD, PhD, as chair of the department of neurological surgery. Krainc is a distinguished investigator whose research has had a transformative impact in the area of neurodegenerative diseases. Parsa is an internationally-renowned neurosurgeon specializing in complex tumors of the brain and spine and his research on brain tumor immunology has provided landmark insights, including the identification of a novel link between oncogenesis and immune-resistance in brain tumors.

"This is a very exciting time to join Northwestern and these rankings reflect of the superb talent within the departments of neurological surgery and neurology," said Parsa, who is also the Michael J. Marchese Professor and chair of the department of neurological surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Krainc to further Northwestern's longstanding tradition of excellence in clinical research and commitment to providing the very best care for our patients."

The U.S. News specialty rankings were driven by objective data such as death rates, procedure volume, and balance of nurses and patients. A survey of physicians, who are asked to name hospitals they consider tops in their specialty, produces a reputation score that is also factored into the rankings. To be considered in the ranked specialties, a hospital first had to meet at least one of four criteria: It had to be a teaching hospital, or be affiliated with a medical school, or have at least 200 beds, or have 100 or more beds and the availability of four or more types of important medical technology. Next, hospitals had to meet a volume requirement, individually calculated for each specialty. The required volume was the number of Medicare inpatients from 2006 to 2008 who had various specified procedures and conditions in the specialty.  Just 147 hospitals, only about 3 percent of those in the U.S., earned a national ranking in one or more specialties.

"It is an honor to join one of the nation's top departments for neurological care and research," said Krainc, who will also serve as the Aaron Montgomery Ward Professor and chair of the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology the Feinberg School. "Working in partnership with Dr. Parsa, we are striving to become a model for a seamless integration of patient care and to be the premier destination for all aspects of neurological care."

Northwestern Memorial climbed six places to 6th in the nation on the publisher's most exclusive ranking: the Best Hospitals 2013-14 Honor Roll. Northwestern Memorial is the only hospital in Illinois to make this prestigious ranking, and continues its placements as No. 1 in Illinois and the Chicago metro area, a distinction the hospital has held since U.S. News introduced its state and local rankings two years ago. Northwestern Memorial is recognized in 14 of 16 specialties rated by U.S. News—five of which are top 10 placements.

Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital ranked No. 21 in Illinois, No. 20 in the Chicago metro rankings, and was noted as high-performing in the categories of gastroenterology & GI surgery, geriatrics, gynecology, nephrology, and orthopaedics. These placements make it the highest rated hospital in Lake County to be recognized by U.S. News.

Northwestern Memorial provides treatment for a full range of neurological disorders. Our physicians who are actively engaged in clinical research to advance new therapies and uncover the causes and cures of neurological diseases, while offering patients the latest and most sophisticated treatment and surgical options. The departments of neurological surgery and neurology feature subspecialists who collaborate to offer the highest level of care for patients with Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, brain tumors and neuro-oncology, headaches and migraines, spinal cord injury and other spine disorders, epilepsy/seizures, stroke, brain aneurysms and brain/spinal vascular malformations, sleep disorders, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, as well as other neurological conditions.

For more information about neurological care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, visit our website. To schedule an appointment, please call 312-926-0779.

About Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare is the parent corporation of Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, an 894-bed academic medical center hospital and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, a 201-bed community hospital located in Lake Forest, Illinois. 

About Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Northwestern Memorial is one of the country's premier academic medical center hospitals and is the primary teaching hospital of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  Along with its Prentice Women's Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry, the hospital has 1,705 affiliated physicians and 6,769 employees.  Northwestern Memorial is recognized for providing exemplary patient care and state-of-the art advancements in the areas of cardiovascular care; women's health; oncology; neurology and neurosurgery; solid organ and soft tissue transplants and orthopaedics.

Northwestern Memorial has nursing Magnet Status, the nation's highest recognition for patient care and nursing excellence. Northwestern Memorial ranks 6th in the nation in the U.S. News & World Report 2013-14 Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals. The hospital is recognized in 14 of 16 clinical specialties rated by U.S. News and is No. 1 in Illinois and Chicago in U.S. News' 2013-14 state and metro rankings, respectively. For 13 years running, Northwestern Memorial has been rated among the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" guide by Working Mother magazine. The hospital is a recipient of the prestigious National Quality Health Care Award and has been chosen by Chicagoans as the Consumer Choice according to the National Research Corporation's annual survey for 13 years. 

SOURCE Northwestern Memorial Hospital