Valley Children's Hospital nationally ranked one of the best children's hospitals

Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Valley Children's Hospital celebrates national ranking
Over the last four years, Valley Children's has been climbing U.S. News and World Report's list of Best Children's Hospitals

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Valley Children's Hospital is celebrating another year of being nationally ranked.

7-year-old Norah Kerr is in awe that her hospital. Valley Children's ranked among the 50 best hospitals in five different specialties.

"It's a reminder of the exceptional world-class quality that's available right here in the Valley for our kids," said CEO Todd Suntrapak.

Those specialties are Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Neonatology, Orthopedics, and for the first time, Urology.

"My whole staff, everybody provided excellent care, and we are being recognized, and I'm very happy about it," said Dr. Esequiel Rodriguez.

All of the departments have played a huge role in Norah's life.

"It's astronomical," said Norah's mother, Amanda. "There (are) no words to even explain it, to be able to have everything to get her to her healthiest, this is what it's all about."

She was given a grim diagnosis, told she might not be able to walk, talk, and do all the things she loves to do. But her mom credits Valley Children's for helping Norah defeat the odds.

"That's why kids are able to succeed and really overcome their diagnosis because we don't just have the specialties here," Kerr said. "We have the best of the best here."

Now, Norah is quite the little spitfire who enjoys playing, dancing, singing, and taking selfies.

"I'm the selfie queen," she said. "I'll try to sneak my mom's phone."

Boston Children's Hospital ranked as the best Children's Hospital in America.

Only one Children's Hospital in California was on the top-ten list. Children's Hospital Los Angeles ranked fifth.