U.S. News & World Report has named Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, which serves members in Pasadena, as one of the nation’s “high performing” hospitals for the specialty of neurology and neurosurgery. The hospital was also named high performing for 18 common adult procedures and conditions, including colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery and heart bypass surgery. Los Angeles Medical Center is operated by Kaiser Permanente Southern California, which is headquartered in Pasadena.
Fewer than half of the thousands of hospitals evaluated earned a ‘High Performing’ designation in the types of care evaluated by U.S. News in its 2026-2027 Best Hospitals study.
Other areas of care where Los Angeles Medical Center was named high performing include spinal fusion, aortic valve replacement surgery, COPD, diabetes, ear, nose & throat surgery, heart attack, heart failure, heart arrhythmia, kidney failure, hip fracture, prostate cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, stroke, pacemaker implantation, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
A high-performing rating is the top distinction a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals procedures and conditions ratings. U.S. News’ annual ratings and rankings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.
“When patients face a major surgery or a chronic medical condition, having access to clear, quality data is vital,” said U.S. News’ Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder. “A ‘High Performing’ rating means that Los Angeles Medical Center outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”
“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our physicians, nurses and care teams to delivering exceptional, compassionate care for the communities we serve,” said Sal Ababneh, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. “We’re proud to see Los Angeles Medical Center recognized among California’s leading hospitals and remain committed to advancing quality, safety and service for every patient who walks through our doors.”
Los Angeles Medical Center was also ranked among the top 20 hospitals in California for overall care, which means it is among the state’s top 5% of the more than 400 hospitals considered.
“This recognition is a testament to the clinical expertise and teamwork that define Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center,” said Dr. Harsimran Brara, area medical director, Los Angeles Medical Center. “From complex specialty care to the most common procedures and conditions, our teams are focused on evidence-based medicine, coordinated care and outcomes that help our patients live healthier lives.”
U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and patient experience.
The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care, according to U.S. News.
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