Mom of double transplant survivor 'not surprised at all' by hospital's top ranking

Courtney Johnson credits the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and her family’s faith in God with saving her daughter’s life. Skylar, now 12, was diagnosed with heart failure after a bout with the flu and pneumonia. That heart condition caused more problems, including kidney failure. “I got through it with prayer and just reading the Bible,” Skylar said.

The Columbia girl, a sixth grader at the time, was in the hospital for months. When a donor heart and kidney became available, surgeons implanted both organs in meticulously planned surgeries on the same day.

About a year later, her mother learned that the hospital had once again been named the top children’s hospital in South Carolina in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 rankings. “I definitely agree with the rankings, not surprised at all,” Johnson said.

“You can trust that your child is in the best of hands when it comes to Shawn Jenkins. They definitely go above and beyond to ensure that every patient and every family understands their child's diagnosis.”

That’s the kind of remark that Mark A. Scheurer, M.D., loves to hear. He leads the hospital as it celebrates its continuing success.

“Being ranked among the top children’s hospitals nationally is a meaningful recognition of the incredible care our teams provide across all specialties. It not only reflects our deep commitment to improving the health and lives of children and families in South Carolina but the Southeast as a whole.”

U.S. News & World Report also ranked six of the hospital’s specialty areas among the top 50 in the country. To determine the rankings, U.S. News considers factors such as patient safety, infection prevention and nurse staffing levels.

Pediatric cardiology and heart surgery: No. 4 

The heart program at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital has been in the top tier for years and remains there, coming in at No. 4 in the country. Eric Graham, M.D., Children's Heart Program chair in Pediatric Cardiac and Congenital Heart Disease, said his team is proud to be in the top five nationally.

“The exact number in the rankings matters less than what it represents: consistent recognition of our program as one of the premier pediatric and congenital heart centers in the country, built on a legacy of exceptional outcomes, innovative research and compassionate, patient-centered care,” Graham said.

“Our program’s continued success is a direct reflection of the extraordinary contributions of our entire team. From our nurses, physicians and advanced practice providers to our therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, perfusionists, sonographers, environmental services staff, administrative personnel and leaders – each plays a critical role in advancing our mission. Together, we have built a culture of excellence, teamwork and dedication that enables us to deliver exceptional care to our patients and sustain this level of achievement.”

Pediatric nephrology: No. 26

Another ongoing success story: the MUSC Children’s Health Nephrology program, the largest such program for kids in the state. It remains in the rankings as well, coming in this year at No. 26.

Anita Perez, M.D., serves as interim chief of Pediatric Nephrology and interim medical director of the Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program.“We’re trying to bring techniques that are really only used at the biggest, most innovative centers. And being the only center in South Carolina that provides transplant, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a form of life support) and certain types of dialysis for NICU babies, I think makes us really at the forefront of care.”

Pediatric orthopedics: No. 29

Also at the forefront of care: the orthopedics program at MUSC Children’s Health. It ranked No. 29 nationally. Robert F. Murphy, M.D., serves as chief of Pediatric Orthopedics. “This recognition is the culmination of an entire team working together to focus on delivering excellent musculoskeletal care for children and adolescents in our community and region,” he said.

"Whether it’s the kid next door or a complex child from across the state, the team at MUSC Pediatric Orthopedics is committed to the patient and family receiving the absolute highest quality of orthopedic care."

Pediatric cancer: No. 33

Cancer care at MUSC Children’s Health fared well in the rankings, too, at No. 33. Michelle Hudspeth, M.D., division chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, called it an honor to lead the program.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team that pours its heart and soul into ensuring the best care possible for our patients and families. I also want to recognize the incredible partnership we have with our Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital pediatric intensive care unit team that works so diligently with us to try to accomplish miracles in very difficult situations.”

Pediatric gastroenterology and GI surgery: No. 42

The highly competitive ranking report also featured the gastroenterology team at MUSC Children’s Health. It came in at No. 42, the 10th year in a row that the program has landed among the country’s top GI services. 

But Benjamin Kuhn, D.O., division chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, said the program is not resting on its laurels. Over the past three years, it has doubled its number of pediatric gastroenterology specialists, expanded its irritable bowel disease center and launched new offerings in multiple areas.

“I am deeply proud of our team for earning U.S. News recognition again. This honor reflects not only clinical excellence but our relentless investment in people and programs that directly improve children’s lives,” Kuhn said.

Neonatology: No. 49

Improving children’s lives at their earliest stages is the work of the neonatology team at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Its efforts earned it a No. 49 ranking.

Julie Ross, M.D., serves as medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit. “We are incredibly proud that our NICU has been recognized among the top 50 programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report,” she said.

“This recognition reflects the dedication, expertise and compassion of our multidisciplinary team, which works tirelessly to provide the highest-quality care to our patients and their families. Our commitment to advancing neonatal care and serving our community with excellence remains unwavering.”

Skylar’s update

The rankings represent recognition for MUSC Children’s Health. But the reasons behind the care that led to those rankings are the children and families across South Carolina. Children like Skylar Brown, the girl who got two desperately needed organs in a single day at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. 

Skylar is now in the seventh grade. She has to take medications to keep her body from rejecting the transplanted organs and see her doctors regularly, but otherwise she’s a regular, happy girl. 

“I’m still kind of in disbelief because she looks nothing like what she went through,” her mother said.

Skylar is playing basketball and plans to join a softball team. While her family members cheer her on, they won’t forget what she’s been through – or the people at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital who made it all possible. Possible not just for her family, Skylar’s mom said, but for other families they met as well. 

“I definitely can say that the staff at Shawn Jenkins – nurses, doctors even the custodians –  did everything possible to make sure that every patient had the care that they needed.”