Good Mix

Each year since 1990, U.S. News and World Reports comes out with special report, ranking hospitals across the nation in a variety of specialities. It was one of the reasons, one of the main reasons, we found ourselves headed to Texas when we decided to seek out further treatment after E.’s esophageal cancer diagnosis. At the time, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was ranked as the #1 hospital in cancer care in the nation. It was ranked #1 in 2011. It was ranked #1 in 2010. And in 2009. And in 2008. And 2007. Matter of fact, M.D. Anderson has consistently been named one of the top two cancer hospitals for all 22 years of the survey. Pretty impressive, eh?

Recently I came across another publication from U.S. News in partnership with Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Rather than rank the best hospitals, this report ranked the best doctors, again in a variety of specialities. Curious, I searched out the names of E.’s doctors, wondering if any of them would make the prestigious list. Doctors listed in the “U.S. News Top Doctors” are estimated to be in the top 10% nationally. Remarkably, some doctors were given even more recognition with a special icon by their name, denoting that they were estimated to be among the top 1% in the nation in their speciality. The top 1%. Holy smokes.

Oh yeah, back to my search. First, I searched E.’s surgeon. Mind you, E. never got to the point of having surgery, but we really like his surgeon and he’s stayed on E.’s case even though surgery has been off the table for a long, long time. Sure enough, he’s on the list. Top 10%. Then I searched E.’s neuro-oncologist. She hasn’t been on E.’s case since the beginning, only joining after the brain tumors made their appearance. Again, her name appeared. Top 10%. Finally, I searched E.’s medical oncologist. Whoa. There he was. And with an icon by his name. A special icon. Top 1%. Top 1% in the nation.

Good hospital. Good doctors. Good guy.

Good mix, if I do say so myself.