UAB Hospital has once again earned international recognition, securing a place on Newsweek’s prestigious list of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026.

This annual ranking, presented in collaboration with Statista Inc., a leading global data and business intelligence platform, highlights top-performing hospitals across various medical specialties.

UAB was ranked No. 105 globally in Cardiology and No. 142 in Cardiac Surgery, underscoring the hospital’s continued excellence in cardiovascular care and surgical innovation.

“UAB’s consistent recognition as one of the top health care destinations is a testament to the exceptional care provided by our faculty and staff daily,” said Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of UAB Health System. “The consistent excellence of our patient care, our cutting-edge research and innovative therapies mark UAB as the destination of choice in Alabama, the Southeast and beyond.”

The UAB Health System, the largest health system in the state, continues to expand its reach and impact across the state, now operating as a nearly $7.5 billion enterprise with 133 locations serving all 67 counties in Alabama and beyond. In November 2024, UAB Health System acquired St. Vincent’s Hospitals, increasing its total bed count to 3,173. The system now includes UAB Hospital, UAB St. Vincent’s, UAB Medical West, Baptist Health in Montgomery, UAB Callahan Eye, and all associated sites of care of the owned and affiliated entities.

With a workforce of more than 30,000 physicians, health care professionals and staff, UAB Health System provides care to some of Alabama’s most critically ill patients and serves almost 1.4 million unique patients. UAB promotes sustainable rural health care throughout the state by supporting associate hospitals of the UAB Health System, like Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama, Russell Medical Center, Whitfield Regional Hospital and John Paul Jones Hospital.

The full list of honorees was released Sept. 10 and is available on Newsweek’s website.