U.S. News & World Report names Manning Family Children’s #1 in Louisiana

Written By Alicia Vial

In national ranking program, Manning Family Children’s was recognized in four pediatric specialties, #1 in Louisiana and #14 in Southeast Region

NEW ORLEANS – Manning Family Children’s has been recognized as a 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report, and the #1 children’s hospital in Louisiana. The annual rankings published Sept. 15, assist parents, in consultation with their children’s doctors, in finding exceptional pediatric care – whether for serious illness, a high-stakes surgery or complex medical needs.

Additionally, four Manning Family Children’s service lines have been recognized among the top 50 programs nationally for their exceptional care, including its Urology program, ranked #22 nationally; its Nephrology program, ranked #36 nationally; its Cancer Program, ranked # 48 nationally, and its Neonatology program, ranked # 49 nationally.

“The Best Children’s Hospital rankings represent a well-earned recognition of the extraordinary impact Manning Family Children’s is making for kids every day,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s. “This is an important reflection of the distinguishing role we play as Louisiana’s number one and only hospital that is entirely dedicated to the care and wellbeing of kids.”

For the 2026-2027 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from 114 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.

“The Best Children's Hospitals rankings spotlight hospitals that excel in specialized care,” said David Yu, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Manning Family Children’s. “That is the heart of who we are at Manning Family Children’s, as we proudly serve as the regional destination for the most complex childhood illnesses and injuries, investing in programs and sub-specialty expertise to ensure the highest level of lifesaving and lifechanging care, close to home.”

“Earning a place on U.S. News’ Best Children’s Hospitals list is a testament to Manning Family Children’s dedication to clinical excellence and patient safety,” said Ben Harder, Chief of Health Analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “These rankings highlight the standout hospitals in each specialty and each region.”

“Manning Family Children's ranking as the #1 children's hospital in Louisiana did not happen by accident,” said Greg Feirn, CEO of LCMC Health. “This is the result of years of vision, investment, hard work - and most importantly, extraordinary people. The commitment to build something exceptional for kids has been shared by our physicians, nurses, employees, academic partners at LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane University School of Medicine, and by our steadfast community partners and supporters.”

The full 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings can be found at USNews.com. For more information, explore #BestChildrensHospitals on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and X.

For more than 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. 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. At the heart of its mission, Manning Family Children’s is committed to delivering expert care for every child, every time – regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

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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 18 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 manningchildrens.org.  

 

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

 

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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