Cornell President David Skorton issued the following statement July 10 to congratulate the staff and academic leadership of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for placing sixth on the honor roll of the nation's top hospitals, according to the just-released 2006 U.S. News and World Report "America's Best Hospitals" survey.

"I applaud our nurses and superb staff at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and our physicians and other colleagues at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University as well as those at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons for this outstanding and well-deserved recognition for the world-class clinical care and innovations in prevention, diagnosis and treatment that they provide every day to their patients. By raising, for the sixth year in a row, its ranking among America's most prestigious health care institutions, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital demonstrates, once again, its dedication to delivering the best care available. My congratulations to President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Herb Pardes as well as to the leadership of the hospital's affiliated medical schools -- Weill Cornell Provost for Medical Affairs and Dean Dr. Tony Gotto and Columbia [College of Physicians and Surgeons] Dean Dr. Lee Goldman."