Healthcare professionals perceive Johns Hopkins and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to have a more integrated approach to care, research and teaching than Mayo Clinic, according to a new report from Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand evaluation consultancy. Both have surpassed Mayo Clinic to be recognised as the world’s top two strongest hospital brands, largely attributed to their superior reputation for research and teaching excellence, which outpaces that of Mayo Clinic.
Hugo Hensley, Valuation Director, Brand Finance commented, “The global hospital sector is fiercely competitive, with top institutions vying for talent, patients, and research partnerships. For 2025, our research highlights what drives healthcare professionals to work at and recommend Academic Medical Centres, emphasising the crucial need for a balanced and integrated approach across care, research, and training. Understanding the attributes most critical for attracting talent and earning endorsements helps hospitals focus on their goals. A strong brand is more than a badge of honour—it’s a powerful tool that drives consideration, builds trust, and cements a hospital’s reputation as a global leader in healthcare.”
For the first time the study highlights what makes a hospital attractive for employment and what drives healthcare professionals to recommend a hospital for patient care, research, or education.
When considering employment at hospitals:
- For employment in clinical work: healthcare professionals prioritise ‘a well-run organisation’.
- For research roles: the focus shifts to hospitals with ‘a leading medical program’.
- For education and training: ‘integrated between teaching, research, and patient care’ is most important.
When recommending hospitals:
- For patient care and for medical training: professionals recommend ‘organisations that medical professionals are proud to have trained or worked at’
- For medical research collaboration: a hospitals’ ability to ‘attract top medical students’ is the key factor.
Top performing hospitals in key markets include National University Health System in Singapore, which has overtaken Singapore General Hospital to lead the region. King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (MENA), AIIMS (South Asia) and Groote Schuur Hospital (Africa) remain top in their regions. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Brazil has jumped 24 places to lead South America.
