University Health ranks number one in the nation as an academic medical center

The Lown Institute has ranked University Health as the top academic medical center in the nation.

University Health Chief Medical Officer Bryan Alsip said the Lown Institute’s recognition is a tremendous honor for University Health and a true reflection of the extraordinary work done by our team members and physicians.

“We view equity, value and outcomes as interconnected elements of our mission to improve the health of the community we serve,” Dr. Alsip said. “The Lown Institute’s recognition validates that these commitments can coexist and that an organization like University Health can deliver outstanding clinical outcomes while also being intentional about equity, affordability and the health of the broader community.

“As the top-ranked academic medical center in the nation, we also have a responsibility to educate the next generation of health professionals and generate knowledge that can improve care beyond our own walls,” he said.

Using data from the 2026 Lown Hospitals Index where University Health ranked third in the nation for social responsibility, the Lown Institute released its ranking of the top academic medical centers of 2026 on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Of the 215 academic medical centers ranked nationally, University Health earned the No. 1 spot.

University Health qualified for the Honor Roll, receiving “A” grades in equity, value and outcomes. University Health also received “A” grades in: community benefit, which reflects the hospital’s investment in access to care and community health; and inclusivity, which reflects that the patients we serve are demographically similar to the surrounding community. The Lown Institute also gave University Health “A” grades in cost efficiency, clinical outcomes and patient safety.

University Health President and CEO Edward Banos said the ranking reflects multiple aspects of the organization.

“University Health’s commitment to quality with its medical staff and clinical staff, along with a commitment to the continuum of care, expanding prevention of disease with its Institute for Public Health, as well as growth in primary care, allowed University Health to improve access to all that need it regardless of their ability to pay,” Banos said. “This has led to hospital care that is efficient and moves care to the appropriate outpatient setting. As University Health continues to grow with the opening of three community hospitals in some of the most underserved areas of Bexar County, we should continue to be highly ranked in the Lown Institute metrics of equity, value and outcomes.”

Dr. Alsip said the ongoing hard work of many teams committed to advancing University Health’s mission will also support maintaining a high ranking from the Lown Institute.

“Maintaining this recognition will require us to use data to identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen our partnerships throughout South Texas, expand access to care in the communities that need it most, and continue to hold ourselves accountable for measurable improvements in quality, safety, outcomes and value,” Dr. Alsip said. “Our goal is to make high-quality, compassionate and equitable healthcare available to everyone we have the privilege to serve. If we continue to put our patients and our community first, the recognitions will follow.”

Learn more about the Lown Institute’s methodology for ranking for the Lown Hospitals Index.