The COVID-19 pandemic brought multiple challenges to the health care industry. Hospitals and health care facilities across the Houston region showed that they were up to the challenge and continued to innovate and provide world-class medical care.  This commitment to innovative research and quality clinical care were recognized earlier this month by U.S. News & World Report, as Houston’s hospitals moved up in the annual 2021-2022 Best Hospitals national rankings.  Houston Methodist moved up four spots to number 16 on the nationwide list of Best Hospitals. This is the fifth time the hospital has made the honor roll since 2009. Last year, Houston Methodist ranked number 20.  Houston Methodist took the number one spot for best hospitals in Texas.  “This is a tremendous achievement for our physicians and employees who dedicate themselves every day to our patients – especially now as we celebrate this news during another surge in the pandemic. These national accolades are something to be proud of, but most important, our patients are benefiting from all of our hard work. Ultimately, they are the reason we need to be one of the best hospital systems in the country,” said Dr. Marc Boom, President and CEO of Houston Methodist in a press release.  The U.S. News Best Hospitals list also included top rankings for specialties, including cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, psychiatry and oncology.   Houston hospitals were high on the list of top cancer hospitals in the U.S. with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson taking top honors with the number one spot, Houston Methodist ranking number 23 and the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center coming in at number 25.  The Menninger Clinic once again made the top 10 list of the nation’s top psychiatric care coming in at number 8, moving up one spot from last year.  TIRR Memorial Hermann also ranked in the top 10 in a specialty list, moving into the number two spot among the top rehabilitation hospitals, and taking the number one spot for Texas. TIRR has ranked within the specialty rankings since the inaugural list in 1989.  “The methodology for the rankings have evolved to include more aspects of quality in addition to reputation, which is extremely meaningful to our employees and affiliated physicians,” said Rhonda Abbott, Senior Vice President and CEO of TIRR Memorial Hermann in a press release. “With our ranking improving this year, it confirms our focus on patient outcomes and the quality of care that we strive for with all of our patients in need of rehabilitation. While the rankings sometimes fluctuate from year to year, they tell the story that we at TIRR Memorial Hermann are leaders in rehabilitation through our focus on research, education, clinical care and advocacy.” Learn more about Houston’s life sciences industry and the world-class hospitals around the region. 

The Tokyo Olympics, postponed last year due to COVID-19, kicks off July 23 and features over 11,000 athletes from around the world. More than 500 athletes will represent Team USA from across the country, including notable Houston athletes such as Simon Biles, Lawson Craddock and Kelley Hurley.  As the world looks to Tokyo for this summer’s major sporting event, we’re taking a look back at some of the world-renowned Houstonians who competed in the Games. Here are five remarkable Olympic athletes from Houston who elevated the nation's fourth largest city to this international stage. Click to expand Photo courtesy of Zina Garrison's official webpage (zinagarrison.org) Zina Garrison The professional tennis player, who reached a career high No. 4 world ranking in 1989, represented the U.S. at the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. In 1988, Garrison brought home a gold medal in doubles and a bronze in singles. Garrison was also a runner-up at Wimbledon 1990, where she was the first African-American woman since Althea Gibson to reach the Grand Slam final, and a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champ.  Garrison grew up playing tennis at Macgregor Park in Houston’s Third Ward, which now honors her legacy with the Zina Garrison Tennis Academy. She also founded the Zina Garrison Foundation for the Homeless and the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Program. Click to expand Photo courtesy of George Foreman's official webpage (georgeforeman.com) George Foreman Raised in Houston’s Fifth Ward, 19-year-old Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal in boxing at the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games as an amateur. Foreman boxed at a professional level from 1969 until 1997. His career finished with a record of 76-5, including 68 wins by knockout. In 1983, Foreman founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in North Houston, dedicated for kids to be active and involved in educational activities. Click to expand Photo courtesy of Carl Lewis' official webpage (carllewis.com) Carl Lewis The University of Houston alum won nine Olympic gold medals, a silver and 10 World Championship medals in track and field. Voted as the “World Athlete of the Century” by the International Association of Athletics Federation and as “Olympian of the Century” by Sports Illustrated, Lewis’ successful career led him to become one of the greatest athletes to ever emerge from the University of Houston. Lewis continues to hold UH’s records for indoor 55-meter dash (6.07s) and indoor-and-outdoor long jumps (28’-1”, 28’-3.5”). The former Olympian now full-time assistant coach with UH’s track and field team.  Click to expand Photo courtesy of University of Texas' Track & Field and Cross Country Twitter page (@TexasTFXC) Carlette Guidry-White Born in Houston, Guidry-White won gold medals in the 4x100 meter relay at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Her speed, physique and dedication also won her a gold medal in the 1995 Gothenburg World Championships.  Guidry-White, aka ‘Ms. Turbo’, currently holds the American record for 4th best indoor 60-meter (7.04 sec) and 200-meter (22.73 sec), and 8th best outdoor 200-meter (22.14 sec). After a successful career as a sprinter, she pursued a career in social work, returning to the professional path she once paused to excel as an athlete.  Click to expand Photo courtesy of Simone Biles' official Facebook page Simone Biles Biles, with a total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, is heading into the Tokyo Olympics with a winning record. Recently described as “the greatest gymnast of all time” by Time Magazine, Biles continues to elevate the standard for the world of gymnastics. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at single games. Biles is also the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-round titles. With Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt retired, Biles is the biggest singular athlete to follow at this year’s Games.  Learn more about Houston’s sports and recreation scene.