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Texas Heart Institute Ranked Among
Nation’s Top
Heart Centers
In its annual survey of “America’s Best Hospitals,” U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital among the nation’s top 10 heart centers for the 16th consecutive year.
This year Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s ranked # 6 on the list, up from # 8 in 2005. Affiliated with The University of Texas System, Texas Heart Institute comprises UT faculty directly involved in research and education programs.
“The consistency of this honor reflects the unwavering dedication and outstanding work of our physicians, scientists, and nursing and support staff,” said Denton A. Cooley, M.D., founder, president and surgeon-in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute, and chief of cardiovascular surgery at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. “We value this recognition as we move forward to expand our world-renowned leadership in education, research and treatment of heart disease.” Cooley also is clinical professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at the UT Medical School at Houston.
The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital is the only heart center in Houston and the Southwest to be listed among the top 10 in its category by the magazine.
“We are gratified by this continued recognition,” said James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the UT Health Science Center at Houston, and president-elect and medical director of the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s. “We believe this honor is a direct reflection of our high-quality programs in research and education, which enable the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s to improve treatments and constantly develop new ways to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.”
The annual rankings, determined through criteria such as surgical volume, ratio of registered nurses to beds, number of medical and surgical discharges, and recognition by peers, are designed to assist people in seeking the highest level of skills in diagnosing, treating or managing difficult medical conditions.