Dear colleague,
U.S. News & World Report and its partner Doximity have opened their annual physician survey to help determine the 2024-25 America’s Best Hospitals and specialty rankings.
This year, UCI Medical Center was named one of the nation's best hospitals for maternity care for 2024-25, earning a "high-performing" rating by U.S. News & World Report. This is the highest available rating. We were also named one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals by Newsweek in 2024. This year, we strengthened our commitment to maternal health equity through innovative programs like the Black PEARL model, a collaborative initiative across pediatrics, OB/GYN, and family medicine aimed at improving birthing justice and maternal outcomes for BIPOC families. Through provider education, community-based doula access, and continuous outcome monitoring, this initiative is creating a more inclusive and culturally competent approach to maternity care.
Our commitment to excellence continues, as evidenced by numerous faculty awards and achievements. Our physician experts are paving the way in areas of maternal cardiovascular disease, maternal death, and diversity in medicine.
If you are a board-certified physician with a Doximity profile, you should have received an email inviting you to cast a vote for a hospital that excels in your specialty.
As your trusted colleagues, we hope you will consider selecting UCI Medical Center in the U.S. News & World Report reputation survey. Vote here.
Message from the chair:
Robert E. Bristow, MD, MBA, chair of the UC Irvine Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Our department has a proud tradition of clinical excellence. It comprises nationally and internationally recognized leaders in maternal fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology, family planning, and general obstetrics and gynecology.
Our faculty and staff includes:
• 5 gynecologic oncology specialists
• 9 OB/GYN hospitalists
• 6 general obstetrics and gynecology specialists
• 10 maternal fetal medicine specialists
• 3 family planning specialists
• 4 female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery specialists
• 1 reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists
• 2 research PhDs
In addition, we are proud to share:
• We provide care in 11 ambulatory sites
• We have been awarded $2.17 million in federal, state and, private grants over two years
• We have received 21 research contracts and grants
• Our faculty have published 54 articles in peer-reviewed journals since 2023
Excellence in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology
Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology programs remain among the premier programs in the nation, distinguished by:
Nationally and internationally recognized faculty who provide the highest level of care.
Access to clinical trials and cutting-edge treatments, ensuring patients receive therapies not available elsewhere.
Top-tier fellowship training programs, shaping the next generation of specialists in maternal-fetal medicine and gynecologic oncology.
Recognition for UC Irvine Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Newsweek America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2024
• 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report ranked UCI Health Obstetrics & Gynecology #24
• 2023-24 U.S News & World Report High Performing Hospitals for Maternity Care, the highest-available rating
• 2022 Maternity Honor Roll Award – California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Agency, Hospital Quality Institute (HQI), and Cal Hospital Compare (CHC) for reducing births via cesarean section (C-Section) in first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies.
• 2023 MDC Superstar Award: Medium Birth Volume Hospitals – California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC)
• 20 physicians were named Physicians of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association
2024-25 News Highlights
UCI Health is one of America's Best Maternity Hospitals
UCI Health has again been recognized as one of the best U.S. hospitals for maternity care by Newsweek. Its ranking among America's Best Maternity Hospitals 2024 for the third consecutive year highlights the academic health system’s commitment to give each expectant mother superb care and an excellent childbirth experience.
UCI Health Maternity Services earns 'high-performing' rating for fourth consecutive year
UCI Health proudly maintains its status as one of the nation's premier hospitals for maternity care, achieving the "high-performing" rating from U.S. News & World Report in the 2024-25 rankings. It is the fourth consecutive year that UCI Health has earned the highest available rating.
Why women should ask their ob-gyn about heart health
An annual visit to an obstetrician-gynecologist is encouraged for women from the time they reach reproductive age to screen for breast and cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infection and other issues. Increasingly, research indicates that the heart should be talked about, as well.
UCI Health cardiologist Afshan Hameed, MD spoke to the American Heart Association about the need for awareness.
"Cardiovascular risk assessment is important at all ages, particularly during the childbearing years. But I don't think awareness is where it needs to be. We need to be bringing it up to every woman who comes in for ob-gyn care."