In an historic milestone, Newsweek's world's best hospitals 2026 ranking elevated UHN to the number two hospital system in the world — the highest position ever achieved by a Canadian hospital.
This also marks the eighth consecutive year UHN has been recognized as the world's No. 1 universally accessible hospital.
The news was shared on Wednesday at Toronto General Hospital with thousands of TeamUHN members streaming into the De Gasperis conservatory to celebrate with cookies and branded sweatshirts. Adding to the festivities were KiSS 92.5's DJ Clymaxxx and Breakfast Television personality Devo Brown, who kept the celebration lively throughout the day. The event opened with remarks from Mr. Dean Connor, Chair of the UHN Board of Trustees, and Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO of UHN.
Premier Doug Ford and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones delivered congratulatory video messages. The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence & Digital Innovation also provided video remarks to commemorate the achievement.
"Being ranked as the second-best hospital in the world is a powerful validation of the strength of our integrated academic health system," said Mr. Connor at the event.
"It belongs to TeamUHN," added Dr. Smith. "Clinicians, researchers, educators, learners and staff whose collective work is delivering exceptional care, advancing discovery and preparing the next generation of health professionals."
The Newsweek recognition is formally associated with Toronto General Hospital — and that distinction is well earned. Toronto General cares for some of the most complex patients anywhere in the world:
- It is home to Canada’s largest transplant program – completing a record-breaking 777 transplants at the Ajmera Transplant Centre in 2025;
- Is part of Sprott Surgery — the largest surgical program in Canada which performed more than 25,000 procedures across Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospital last year;
- And, home to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre — a global leader in cardiovascular care.
Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre were also recognized in Newsweek's World's Top 250 hospitals. Princess Margaret continues to rank as Canada's leading oncology hospital and among the top 10 globally in Newsweek's World's Best Specialized Hospitals ranking, and Toronto Western has risen to the #7 hospital in Canada.
Newsweek determines its annual rankings through a combination of patient-experience data, hospital performance metrics, and global surveys completed by tens of thousands of medical experts — assessing thousands of hospitals across more than 32 countries.
This distinction is enabled by the ongoing support of the Ontario and federal governments, the UHN Foundation, the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, and the generosity of donors whose investments help advance care, discovery and education for patients in Canada and around the world.
"This global recognition affirms UHN's legacy of discovery and our pursuit of excellence — where care, research and education move together in service of patients," said Dr. Smith.
This milestone reflects UHN's fully integrated academic health sciences system — spanning world-leading cardiac, transplant and surgical care at Toronto General Hospital; cancer care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; neurosciences and musculoskeletal care at Toronto Western Hospital; Canada's largest and most comprehensive rehabilitation and complex continuing care network through Toronto Rehab and West Park Healthcare Centre; and education through The Michener Institute of Education, the country’s only dedicated applied health sciences educational institution, preparing the next generation of health professionals. Anchored by Canada's largest and most research-intensive hospital system, this integrated model enables UHN to care for the most complex patients while delivering discoveries that are shaping the future of medicine.
The rankings also reinforce the strength of Canadian-led health care on the global stage.
"It reflects the collective impact of TeamUHN and affirms that excellence can thrive within a universally accessible model of care," Mr. Connor said. "This moment brings pride and a responsibility to continue advancing what health care can achieve for patients in Canada and globally."
UHN continues to advance work in areas such as AI-enabled diagnostics, transplantation, immunotherapy, neuroscience and rehabilitation.
"This incredible achievement reflects the true strength of Ontario's world-class health care system," said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.
"To the entire team at UHN, from the doctors to nurses, our health care workers and staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to patient care and leading the world when it comes to innovation and research."
Amid the cheers and celebration, Dr. Smith emphasized this new ranking shows what's possible when a country commits to universal access, scientific excellence, and bold ambition.
"This is a moment of pride for Ontario and Canada — but not a victory lap," said Dr. Smith.
"It is a call to lead with ambition, to advance health research at scale, and to ensure Canada continues to shape what's next in health care and science."
