News Summary
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids has earned national recognition for 2025-2026 from U.S. News & World Report, ranking 44th in pediatric cancer and 49th in neurology. This reflects its commitment to patient safety, outcomes, and exceptional care. While it ranks second in Michigan, it has gained notable recognition for its pediatric behavioral health services. The hospital’s recent facility expansion further enhances the patient experience.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital has been recognized among the nation’s best pediatric hospitals for 2025-2026 by U.S. News & World Report, securing notable rankings in multiple specialties. The hospital placed 44th for pediatric cancer and 49th in neurology and neurosurgery. It also entered the top 50 for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health, although those categories were not ranked individually.
U.S. News & World Report evaluated a total of 118 children’s hospitals for the rankings, which are based on various criteria including patient outcomes, safety measures, and expert opinions. One-third of the ranking score was attributed to patient outcomes such as survival rates, surgical complications, and infection rates. An additional 10% came from a survey of pediatric specialists’ opinions. The remaining score reflected the hospitals’ commitment to best practices, patient safety, and family-centered care, where families are actively involved in their children’s treatment.
Corewell Health, which operates the hospital that houses 234 beds at 100 Michigan St. NE, expressed gratitude for this valuable recognition. The hospital’s leadership highlighted its ongoing commitment to providing exceptional care and ensuring patient safety at all levels.
This accolade reinforces Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s expertise particularly in the fields of pediatric cancer care, neurology, and behavioral health services. For the first time, the hospital’s pediatric behavioral health team gained national recognition, suggesting a growing trend in understanding and treating mental health issues in children.
In the context of state performance, University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital retained its title as the best children’s hospital in Michigan for 2025-2026. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital ranks second in the state, followed closely by Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit at third. While C.S. Mott has held the top position in Michigan for the past 19 years and received rankings in ten pediatric specialties, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital dropped from five rankings last year to three this year.
Corewell Health manages a vast network of care, encompassing 21 hospitals and over 300 outpatient locations, supported by a workforce of more than 65,000 professionals. Recently, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital expanded its facilities with the opening of the James B. Fahner Outpatient Clinic, aimed at enhancing the patient treatment experience. The new outpatient clinic boasts three designated infusion areas and modern amenities, such as a kitchen and gaming platform, designed to keep young patients comfortable and engaged. It also prioritizes access to the latest clinical trials while strengthening family connections during treatment.
This recognition by U.S. News & World Report not only underscores Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s commitment to high-quality care but also highlights its initiatives to adapt the evolving needs of pediatric patients and their families. The collaboration between U.S. News and RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, brought forth these insights, ensuring the ratings accurately reflect the hospitals’ performances.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News: C.S. Mott Ranked #1 Children’s Hospital in Michigan
- Wikipedia: Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
- MLive: Michigan Children’s Hospital Earns National Rankings
- Google Search: Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
- Wood Radio: Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is One of the Best
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Rapids

Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.