1st
Our ranking as the top hospital in Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" list. (11 straight years)
Overview
Patients from across the region choose Wisconsin’s No. 1 hospital
Welcome to University Hospital in Madison, Wis., part of UW Hospitals — ranked No. 1 of all Wisconsin hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report. Located on the western edge of the UW Madison campus, our 505-bed hospital is home to several nationally and internationally ranked programs from brain/spine surgery to heart care to organ transplant. We are also home to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, the only comprehensive cancer in Wisconsin as designated by the National Cancer Institute.
For more information about your stay or visit, please consult our Patient and Family Visitor Guide.
9Medical and surgical specialties
Number of our medical and surgical specialties that are ranked either as “best in the nation” or “high-performing” by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-23.
505Beds
Number of inpatient beds at University Hospital.
1924
The year that Wisconsin General Hospital opened to patients at 1300 University Ave. in Madison. This was the home of University Hospital until moving to our current location in 1979.
COVID-19
Our current visitor policy
For information about the number of visitors or support individuals allowed, please see our patient and visitor guidelines.
Information for patients and families
For more information about your stay or visit, please consult our Patient and Family Visitor Guide.
Facility highlights
Among the nation’s best
When you come to University Hospital, you receive extraordinary leading-edge care provided by faculty physicians of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, an international leader in education, research and service.
Highlights include:
A nationwide leader – again
After surveying more than 5,000 hospitals, U.S. News & World Report ranks these four UW Hospitals medical and surgical specialties among the nation’s very best for 2022-23:
These five medical and surgical specialties at UW Hospitals are rated as “high performing” by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-23:
Cardiology and heart surgery
University of Wisconsin Hospitals also received U.S. News & World Report’s highest rating for multiple procedures for 2022-23, including:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Aortic valve surgery
Back surgery
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Colon cancer surgery
Heart bypass surgery
Hip fracture
Kidney failure
Amenities
Free Wi-Fi
Free wireless internet access is available at all UW Health locations. Connect your smartphone, tablet or laptop to “Free WiFi UW Health.” Charging stations are available in the Surgical Waiting Area on the main (second) floor.
Cafeteria and dining
Four Lakes Café, located lower level (floor 1), offers sandwiches, soups, farm-to-table items, a salad bar and desserts. Grab-and-go options are available overnight and on weekends in the adjacent Mendota Market.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also place flower and gift orders by calling (608) 263-6472 or online. Flower/gift deliveries from outside florists and vendors are not allowed.
Parking at University Hospital
Parking tickets may be validated inside at the Information Desk to receive free parking. Valet services are available for parking assistance, Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visiting hours
8 a.m.-9 p.m. Due to COVID-19, only one adult (16 or older) is allowed to visit an adult inpatient or accompany an adult to an outpatient appointment. Pediatric patients may have two visitors.
A hotel 5 minutes away
With many of our patients coming from longer distances, UW Health offers a patient-and-family rate at the nearby Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison. To receive the special rate, please call Guest Services at (608) 263-0315.
Featured services
Services available at University Hospital
Wisconsin’s only comprehensive cancer center
If cancer enters your world, the UW Carbone Cancer Center is your choice for leading-edge treatment or a second opinion. Our dedicated nationally and internationally known doctors and surgeons treat every type of cancer, including the rarest. Our team of specialists understands that treating cancer is more than managing a disease; it means extraordinary, compassionate care for you or your loved one.
Highly innovative transplant care
Known worldwide for research, innovation and a keen focus on personalized patient care, our team of experts has been saving lives for more than 50 years. Our work to reduce transplant wait times, reduce the need for immunosuppression and improve outcomes has forever changed the world of transplant and organ donation. One of the nation’s few comprehensive centers, UW Health serves deceased donors and their families, living donors, and patients of all ages in need of a life-saving organ transplant.
Leaders in heart care, focused on you
Choose well if you or a loved one is seeking world-class heart care. There’s great comfort knowing that University Hospital is ranked among the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the nation by Fortune/IBM Watson Health. From heart disease prevention to innovative treatments that boost your heart function, our heart specialists work with you to achieve your best heart health. Our cardiovascular specialty clinics, located across the state, can save you a trip to Madison.
Neurology / Neurosurgery
From epilepsy to strokes to brain tumors, UW Health is here if you or your loved one needs unparalleled expert care following a serious brain or spine condition. Ranked among the nation’s best neurology/neurosurgery programs by U.S. News & World Report, we are especially known for our Comprehensive Stroke Center, Brain Tumor Center and epilepsy program, which includes an accredited level 4 (highest) epilepsy center.
Advanced burn and wound care
UW Health’s Burn and Wound Center is your best choice for treatment and recovery. We are Wisconsin's only burn center verified by the American Burn Association (ABA) for comprehensive care of adults and children. Moreover, our highly reputed faculty researchers help discover new burn and wound treatments. We’re also teachers, sharing the latest burn-prevention and wound-care practices across the state.
Emergency care
Emergency Department information
University Hospital’s Emergency Department (E.D.) official address is 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792. However, the quickest way to get to the Emergency entrance is to proceed north on University Bay Drive where it intersects with University Avenue. You will see “Emergency” signs directing you to the parking area.
UW Health is the only healthcare system in Wisconsin with Level I Trauma and Burn Centers for adults and children, as verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Burn Association (ABA).
BerbeeWalsh Emergency Department
Parking and transportation
General parking information (non-emergency)
Please use our ramp, located at 600 Highland Ave., Madison WI 53792.
General Parking Information - Bring your parking ticket inside for validation at the Information Desk to receive free parking.
Traditional Valet parking is currently unavailable due to COVID-19, however curbside Guest Services attendants are on duty for those requiring mobility assistance or help in finding their way.
Parking assistance is also available. This service temporarily replaces traditional Valet Service. Parking Assistance allows you to follow a valet attendant in golf cart into the parking ramp. The valet attendant will guide you a convenient parking space. The Valet attendant will then give you a ride in the golf cart that will take you close to the Entrance doors. Please look for "Parking Assistance" signs. This service is available weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In detail
More about University Hospital
We are honored to provide you with the best healthcare and to offer services to help you have the best possible experience.
Guest Services
Our Guest Services staff and ambassadors are available to help you find your way and make your experience as pleasant as possible. For assistance, please look for guest services ambassadors and volunteers wearing red shirts or jackets.
Information Desks
We have two Information Desks, one inside the hospital entrance and one inside the clinics entrance.
Contacting Guest Services
To reach Guest Services, please call (608) 263-0315 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays. Outside of those hours, please call the main hospital number, (608) 263-6400.
Gift Shop information
The Gift Shop is open weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You may also place flower and gift orders by calling (608) 263-6472 or online. Flower/gift deliveries from outside florists and vendors are not allowed.
