Anyone who’s entered the expansive halls of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center knows the feeling of relief and confidence it offers for those in their darkest hours. Now, a new national report reflects what most Houstonians already know: MD Anderson is the best in the nation.

U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” survey has ranked MD Anderson No. 1 in cancer care in the country. It’s a familiar spot for the beloved hospital: MD Anderson has been named one of the top two cancer hospitals every year since the survey began in 1990. It has also ranked first 14 times in the last 17 years.

To create the list, the publication surveys some 887 hospitals that treat “challenging” cancer patients; those institutions are graded on a 100-point scale. Patient outcomes and experience, key programs, services and staff, and professional recognition are all figured into the score.

MD Anderson scored a perfect 100 overall and was rated excellent in areas such as 30-day cancer survival, nurse staffing, patient services, and advanced technologies. It bested the prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York (No. 2 overall) and the Mayo Clinic (No. 3) in Rochester, Minnesota.

“MD Anderson is proud and grateful to be recognized once again as the leading cancer center in the nation, an honor that reflects our team’s commitment to ending cancer,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson, in a statement. “It is a privilege for our 20,000 employees and 1,000 volunteers to serve those counting on us and to work alongside supportive friends, donors, leaders and advocates in the community.”

In addition to MD Anderson’s top ranking for cancer care, the head and neck surgery service was ranked No. 14 in the Ear, Nose, and Throat specialty. Orthopedics and urology also were rated as “High Performing” areas.