Saint Thomas Hospital and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are the only two Nashville-area hospitals to crack the most recent U.S. News & World Report "2011-12 Best Hospitals" rankings.

VUMC is ranked No. 1 in Nashville. The facility has 11 specialties that are nationally ranked and one that is “high performing.” In addition, the Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has 10 specialty areas that are recognized in the children's hospital category.

Saint Thomas Hospital is ranked as “high performing” in gastroenterology, geriatrics, pulmonology, cardiology and heart surgery, and orthopedics.

The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty and/or ranked among the best hospitals in its metro area.

“We are thrilled to be named on the Best Hospital list,” Dawn Rudolph, president and CEO of Saint Thomas Hospital, said in a release. “Our physicians and staff continue their unwavering dedication to excellence that allows us to provide exceptional care for our patients. It’s truly an honor to be named among the best hospitals in our area.”

The rankings cover 16 medical specialties and all 94 metro areas that have at least 500,000 residents and at least one hospital that performed well enough to be ranked.