Manning Family Children’s recognized among America’s Best Children’s Hospital’ in Newsweek’s 2025 rankings program

Written By Alicia Vial

The 2025 Newsweek rankings program marks the third consecutive year that Manning Family Children’s has been recognized among the nation’s best children’s hospitals

NEW ORLEANS – Manning Family Children’s has been recognized among Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025, earning recognition consecutively since the program’s inception. This prestigious ranking award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award list was announced May 28, 2025, and can be viewed on the Newsweek website.

“It is an honor to again be part of Newsweek’s American’s Best Children’s Hospital’s ranking program, and to see our extraordinary team’s hard work recognized,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and Chief Executive Officer for Manning Family Children’s. “This accomplishment reflects our ongoing commitment to provide the highest level of care for all kids as Louisiana’s only comprehensive, freestanding children’s hospital.”

The America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025 ranking awards the best hospitals in eight pediatric subspecialties: Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & Gastrointestinal Surgery, Neonatology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. In the 2025 rankings program, Manning Family Children’s has been awarded recognition in both Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery and Pulmonology.

The underlying data analysis is based on four data sources:

  1. Nationwide Online Survey: Participants with knowledge about pediatric care (e.g., general and specialized pediatricians and nurses) were asked to recommend leading children’s hospitals in the U.S. The survey was also promoted on newsweek.com.

  2. Hospital Quality Metrics: Hospital quality metrics with a focus on indicators relevant to the respective subspecialties and accreditations/certifications were considered.

  3. Patient Satisfaction: Evaluations from Google were researched for each children’s hospital as a proxy for patient satisfaction with the hospital.

  4. Statista Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) Implementation Survey: Voluntary PROMS implementation survey to determine the status quo of PROMs implementation, audits and reporting of data.

Based on the study results, Manning Family Children’s is honored to be recognized on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025, and also now joins an elite group of healthcare institutions that have been recognized each year since the inception of the ranking program in 2023.

“The American’s Best Children’s Hospitals ranking reflects our steadfast commitment to provide the highest level of care for children across our region – in every specialty, every time,” said Mark W. Kline, MD, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Medical Officer for Manning Family Children’s. “Our hope is that no child has to leave the state of Louisiana for the expert, and often lifesaving care that he or she needs – it is available right here. The Newsweek rankings program is a wonderful third-party validation of that ongoing commitment.”

 Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

For 70 years, Manning Family Children’s has proudly served as Louisiana’s only, freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital with more than 600 pediatric-trained providers and 3,000 employees solely dedicated to the care of kids. Children’s proudly delivers lifesaving and lifechanging care for all children, with nationally leading programs including its Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Neonatology, Pulmonology, and Rehabilitation programs, Behavioral Health, Trauma and Grief, Gun Safety, ThriveKids, and more than 40 other pediatric specialties. In addition to comprehensive services offered at its main campus in New Orleans, Children’s operates a robust network of more than 30 satellite locations, pediatric affiliations across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and robust and long-serving community programs designed to meet the health needs of the diverse communities it serves. For more information visit manningchildrens.org.

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About Manning Family Children’s:
Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 14 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildren’s.org. 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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