U.S. News Rates UAMS in Top 10% Nationally for Cancer Care
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is rated among the top 10% nationally for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-2026 Best Hospitals ranking, becoming the only hospital in Arkansas to make the list of the nation’s top cancer centers.
This year, UAMS received a cancer score of 54.3, earning it a “High Performing” designation, up 14% from previous years and a reflection of consistent improvement in quality and patient outcomes.
“This ranking reflects years of investment in talented physicians and scientists, innovative clinical trials, cancer research and cutting-edge technology,” said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and UAMS vice chancellor. “There is no team in Arkansas more passionate and dedicated to offering advanced, research-driven treatments with compassion and excellence.”
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on objective measures such as patient outcomes, nurse staffing, patient services and the use of advanced technologies. Cancer centers in the top 10% of scores nationally are designated as “High Performing.”
UAMS received excellent ratings in several key areas, including patient survival, nurse staffing, discharges to home, advanced technologies, patient services and overall patient experience and quality of stay.
Additionally, specific areas of cancer care at UAMS were rated as high performing, including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma; colon cancer surgery; gynecological cancer surgery; and lung cancer surgery.
“This national recognition affirms the exceptional work of our cancer care teams across UAMS and the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute,” said C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., interim chancellor. “It reflects our commitment to providing evidenced-based care and the collective strength of the UAMS clinical enterprise.”
“Being recognized among the nation’s best is a reflection of the unwavering dedication of our physicians, nurses and staff,” said Ahmed Abuabdou, M.D., MBA, chief clinical officer and director of UAMS cancer clinical services. “Every day, we strive to deliver the highest quality cancer care with compassion and a focus on outcomes that matter most to our patients.”
Contributing to the national rating is UAMS’ first Magnet© designation received in November 2024 from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recognizing excellence in nursing practice and leadership.
UAMS is also certified by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) for its bone marrow and tissue transplant programs, the only transplant program in Arkansas. UAMS is also home to the internationally recognized UAMS Myeloma Center.
The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute is Arkansas’ only academic cancer research center and home to the state’s largest cancer clinical trials program. With more than 190 scientists researching cancer and a statewide patient outreach and engagement program, the Cancer Institute is preparing to submit its formal application for National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in January 2026, a milestone that would bring even more advanced cancer research, treatment and funding to Arkansas.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,553 students and 902 medical residents and fellows. It is the state’s largest public employer with about 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###