MADERA, Calif. – For the 10th year in a row, Valley Children’s has earned national recognition from U.S. News & World Report as a 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospital, ranking among the best in the country for Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery.
“To be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for a 10th consecutive year reflects our team’s relentless pursuit of excellence,” said, Todd Suntrapak, president and CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare. “This is not just about rankings. It’s about the trust our families place in Valley Children’s and the impact we have on children’s lives across our region. I am deeply proud of our physicians and staff whose expertise and compassion continue to set the standard for pediatric care.”
“Caring for children with serious and often lifelong lung conditions requires advanced expertise, along with deep compassion and teamwork,” said Dr. Reddivalam Sudhakar, Valley Children’s medical director of pediatric pulmonology. “Our team is dedicated to improving the lives of every patient and family we serve, no matter how complex the diagnosis. I am honored to work alongside some of the best, right here in the Central Valley.”
For the 2025-2026 rankings, U.S. News and research firm RTI International collected and analyzed data from 118 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.
“Being a top-ranked pediatric hospital means more than just excelling in a specialty. It means being a pillar of outstanding care for your entire region,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “Our rankings acknowledge these hospitals for their comprehensive excellence, helping families find the very best care conveniently located within their state and community.”
The 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings can be found at USNews.com. Learn more about Valley Children’s pediatric pulmonology services here.
