Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital jumped to No. 7 in Illinois and the Chicago metro area in the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings released Tuesday, Aug. 4, earning national recognition in five medical specialties.

The hospital, formally known as Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, climbed from a tie at No. 8 last year and No. 12 four years ago, according to Northwestern Medicine. Only 16% of the nearly 4,500 hospitals evaluated nationwide earned a Best Hospitals designation.

Five national rankings

Lake Forest Hospital earned national rankings in:

  • Diabetes & Endocrinology: No. 29
  • Gastroenterology & GI Surgery: No. 40
  • Geriatrics: No. 46
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery: T-No. 45
  • Orthopaedics: T-No. 34

That's up from three national specialty rankings in 2024-2025, when only Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery made the nationally ranked list. Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Orthopaedics and Urology were previously listed as "High Performing" rather than nationally ranked, according to a prior Northwestern Medicine announcement.

Pulmonology & Lung Surgery moved in the other direction this year, dropping from a national ranking (No. 50 in 2024-2025) to a "High Performing" designation.

The hospital also earned a No. 3 regional ranking in Orthopaedics for the Chicago metro area.

Eleven procedures rated 'High Performing'

Beyond the specialty rankings, Lake Forest Hospital achieved "High Performing" designations in 11 procedures and conditions, according to Northwestern Medicine. Patch reported those include colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia treatment, heart failure treatment, pacemaker implantation, kidney failure treatment, stroke treatment, knee replacement, pneumonia treatment and COPD treatment.

Methodology shift favors outcomes

The rankings carry extra weight this year. U.S. News overhauled its methodology so that risk-adjusted patient outcomes now account for 80% of a hospital's score, up from roughly one-third previously, according to a U.S. News press release. The analysis drew from more than 800 million records of patient care.

Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News, said the new regional specialty rankings in cancer, cardiology, orthopedics and rehabilitation give patients an easier way to evaluate highly rated care close to home.

System-wide recognition

Lake Forest Hospital's gains come as the broader Northwestern Medicine system earned its 15th consecutive Honor Roll designation through flagship Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, which tied for No. 1 in Illinois. Howard Chrisman, MD, president and CEO of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, said the results reflect the dedication of physicians, nurses and team members across the system who work to deliver exceptional care close to home.

The full rankings are available on the U.S. News Best Hospitals website.