Samsung Medical Center has been crowned the top hospital in South Korea and secured the 26th spot globally.
On Thursday, Samsung Medical Center announced its ascent to the pinnacle of South Korea’s hospitals in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026 ranking. This marks a significant leap from last year’s second place, clinching the top position for the first time. On the global stage, the hospital climbed four rungs to reach 26th place.
Newsweek’s prestigious hospital evaluation is conducted in partnership with Statista Inc., a German global market research firm. The rankings are determined by a comprehensive assessment of four key areas: medical performance indicators (40%), endorsements from medical experts both locally and internationally (35%), patient satisfaction (18.5%), and the implementation of patient self-assessment tools (6.5%).
In recent years, Samsung Medical Center has also distinguished itself in Newsweek’s specialized hospital rankings, maintaining the third spot globally for cancer care among specialized hospitals for two consecutive years, while leading as the top general hospital. The institution has also held its ground as South Korea’s premier smart hospital for five years running.
Since its inception in 1994, Samsung Medical Center has been a beacon of healthcare excellence in South Korea for 32 years. The hospital attributes its latest accolade to its unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, expertise in high-acuity cases, and pioneering efforts in advanced, intelligent healthcare systems, driving medical innovations across various domains.
Samsung Medical Center has carved out a niche in treating severe, complex, and rare diseases. A landmark achievement was the establishment of South Korea’s first intensive care medicine department in 2013, accompanied by the introduction of a specialist system and a multidisciplinary care team in the intensive care unit (ICU).
The hospital boasts numerous groundbreaking achievements. Dr. Jeon Seong-su, director of the robotic surgery center, made history in 2024 by successfully performing surgeries with the cutting-edge da Vinci Surgical System, a first not just in South Korea but across Asia.
In 2021, Samsung Medical Center pioneered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in South Korea, amassing the highest number of treatments nationwide. The hospital reached another milestone in 2024, surpassing 2,000 cases of proton therapy for liver cancer, another national first.
The institution has also made significant strides in cardiovascular care. In November of last year, it performed South Korea’s first Impella centralised procedure (CP). Furthermore, in December 2024, the hospital successfully implemented pulsed field ablation (PFA) for atrial fibrillation, marking yet another national first.
Research capabilities at Samsung Medical Center continue to flourish. Designated as a research-focused hospital in 2013, it established an innovative research ecosystem and unveiled the Future Medicine Building in 2016. Last year, professors Ahn Myung-joo and Park Se-hoon from the Department of Hematology and Oncology were recognized among the top 1% of global researchers by Clarivate for 2025.
The hospital’s research prowess has catalyzed industrial growth. Spearheaded by the Future Medicine Research Institute, faculty members have founded 15 companies, with three achieving public listings. This positions Samsung Medical Center as the domestic leader in spawning publicly traded healthcare companies.
Samsung Medical Center is also at the forefront of digital transformation in healthcare. It has achieved the prestigious Stage 7 rating across four categories—INFRAM, DIAM, EMRAM, and AMAM—as certified by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), making it the world’s only quadruple honoree. The hospital also set a global precedent by scoring a perfect 400 in the HIMSS Digital Health Indicator (DHI) survey.
Dr. Park Seung-woo, president of Samsung Medical Center, expressed pride in the global recognition of the hospital’s advancements in future medicine, particularly in treating severe diseases. He affirmed that it remains committed to pushing the boundaries of healthcare to ensure a healthier, brighter future for humanity.