Cincinnati--The Christ Hospital and The University Hospital combined placed 10 of their patient care programs among the nation's best in the 2000 U.S. News & World Report annual guide to "America's Best Hospitals."

The University Hospital's highly rated programs, according to the July 17 issue of U.S. News & World Report, include: Cancer (33); Ear, nose and throat (17); Geriatrics (28); Heart (43); Hormonal disorders (39); Kidney disease (40); Neurology and Neurosurgery (27); Respiratory (32); and Rheumatology (35). The Christ Hospital was ranked 47 among the nation's Heart programs.

The U.S. News & World Report 2000 "America's Best Hospitals" rankings access care for 17 specialties at 1,701 hospitals nationwide. To even be considered for this list, a hospital has to be a member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals, be affiliated with a medical school or provide at least nine out of 17 specific items of technologies.

The July 17 issue of U.S. News & World Report will be available at newsstands on July 10, and will also be available online at www.usnews.com by clicking "Best Hospitals."

The Health Alliance is an integrated health care delivery system, which includes The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care.