Photo by Donald A. Promnitz From left, doctors Douglas Tamura, Alexandra Eidelwein and Nedim Cakan pose with their awards from U.S. News & World Report.

Valley Children’s Healthcare had its second major celebration in a month with the announcement of its recognition as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country.

For the fourth consecutive year, Valley Children’s was nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in five categories, according to its “2019-2020 Best Children’s Hospitals” List. This year, the Madera hospital was recognized for Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgery, Neonatology, Pediatric Orthopedics and Pediatric Surgery.

“It’s also important — I think — to take a second or two, or maybe a couple of minutes, to celebrate all of the clinical programs that are every bit as excellent as the ones being celebrated today, that do not have a shield yet for various reasons,” said Todd Suntrapak, president and CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare. “But I hope that you will agree with me that the clinical programs here are the finest anywhere in the world.”

Rankings for the report were based on clinical data and on an annual survey of pediatric specialists. Among the factors for the survey were patient outcomes like mortality and infection rates, as well as available clinical resources and practice compliance.

Late last month, Valley Children’s also celebrated the opening of the Adventist Health Medical Office-Fowler, where they will be providing pediatric care.