UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Cardiovascular Institute patient services were recently recognized in Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026, highlighting its position as a leading institution in treatment and care.
Spanning across the breadth of patient care, UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery is comprised of adult and pediatric surgery sections and serves as the foundational service modality for the UAB Cardiovascular Institute (CVI).
“Each year, UAB performs a large volume of heart valve replacements – more than any other center in the state, establishing itself as an institutional cornerstone for patients in the Southeast and beyond. This award is the culmination of our team's hard work and dedication to our patients, from intensive pediatric care to advanced aortic intervention,” says UAB Director of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and CVI Director James Davies, M.D.
As a member of the UAB Cardiovascular Institute, the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery ensures that patients can receive treatment from their entire care team in a single location - without the added pressure of ever leaving their core providers and medical facility.
“Our multidisciplinary team, through the UAB Cardiovascular Institute, shares a common goal: to serve the community with our best efforts. Patients can feel assured that they will be well cared for when they come to us,” says UAB Section of Adult Cardiac Surgery Chief Clifton Lewis, M.D.
In addition to adult care, UAB is renowned for its approach to pediatric cardiothoracic surgery in caring for some of the smallest patients. Through dedicated and compassionate care, members of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery create curated care plans for each child and counsel families through each step of their healthcare journey.
“As the only standalone children's hospital in the state, the pediatric cardiac surgery section at Children's of Alabama plays a vital role in serving patients from Alabama and neighboring states. Our division is honored to support parents and children during such a vulnerable time in their lives. Watching our patients improve and thrive post-operatively is incredibly rewarding,” says UAB Section of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Chief Robert Dabal, M.D.
The UAB CVI has been recognized by numerous institutions and publications that assess the quality of patient care, such as the U.S. News & World Report, the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI), and Healthgrade’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery.
About Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals
The Newsweek's list of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals highlights hospitals with notable growth, increasing patient reach, and the capacity to deliver advanced, specialized care. The highly-vetted list aims to help patients and families find centers that excel in treating rare and complex conditions.
The World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026 ranking recognizes top hospitals worldwide across 12 medical specialties: cardiac surgery, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, pulmonology, urology, and obstetrics & gynecology.
Over 150 hospitals worldwide received recognition based on an online survey conducted from May to July 2025. The survey included recommendations from medical professionals, accreditation data, certifications, and Statista’s PROMs Implementation Survey.