america s best hospitals 2005 methodology emily mcfarlane murrey olmsted joe murphy craig hill to whom it may concern us news & world report study is the sole and exclusive property of u which owns all rights including but not limited copyright in attached data material any party wishing cite reference publish or otherwise disclose information contained herein do so only with prior written consent approved citation must identify source as exception academic journals include credit line reprinted permission from for use other way contact permissions usnews com send a request department 1050 thomas jefferson street nw washington dc 20007 3837 custom reprints photocopying please catherine wiencek at 866 879 9144 ext 118 by e mail catherinew fostereprints i table contents introduction 1 structure 2