Staff at Saint Luke’s cares for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2022.
U.S. News and World Report has released its report on the best hospitals in the Kansas City region for 2026.
More than 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and condition were evaluated for this report. Then, U.S. News narrowed it down to 505 top regional hospitals. The media outlet used new specialty rankings for the report, including cancer, cardiology, heart and vascular surgery, orthopedics and rehabilitation.
Missouri had 12 facilities that were recognized on the list. The highest-ranked hospital in the state is Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Only two made the cut for the Kansas side, with the University of Kansas Hospital ranking at the top for the Sunflower State.
U.S. News and World Report pulled data from 800 million records of patient care for this study. This year, risk-adjusted outcome measures played a larger in the rankings.
These five hospitals were the top ranked in the Kansas City region for 2026, according to U.S. News.
1. University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas
This Kansas City, Kansas hospital has several high performing programs, according to U.S. News. That includes being the 23rd best hospital for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery. The hospital was also ranked for the following programs:
- 30. Geriatrics
- 26. Neurology and neurosurgery
- 40. Obstetrics and gynecology
- 33. Pulmonology and lung surgery
2. Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City
Saint Luke’s is the 47th best hospital for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery. The midtown facility is ranked as the sixth-best Missouri hospital, according to U.S. News. Heart attack, lung cancer surgery, and ear, nose and throat surgery are among its high-performing categories.
3. Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit
Though it doesn’t have any programs that are ranked, St. Luke’s has several programs that are performing highly, according to U.S. News. Programs such as heart attack and diabetes were recognized as high performing.
4. Advent Health Shawnee Mission
Last year, the Merriam hospital was considered high performing in 12 procedures and conditions, like colon cancer surgery and maternity care in uncomplicated pregnancies. This year, its high performers include its program for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, as well as its diabetes program.
5. NKC Health Hospital, North Kansas City
Located north of the river, North Kansas City Hospital has previously rated high performing in 15 adult procedures and conditions. This year, its high performing categories include diabetes and hip replacement.
