John G,
I too carefully studied the US News Ratings. They are on piece of a
very large puzzle. For example, urology is a big field. How good are
the guys at Hopkins compared to Ford for laparoscopic RP? No way to
tell. Walsh doesn't do the DaVinci robot technique. Menon at Ford may
have the most experience with that. Also, the stars at Hopkins make
mistakes too. For example, they publish a Prostate Bulletin, that I had
a subscription to. In the Spring 05 issue there is an article on  post
op ED that says Caverject comes with an "ultrafine needle". I know from
personal experience that those needles are like harpoons compared to
ultrafine needles. The same article says a MUSE pellet is  "the size of
a rice grain". The author has probably never seen one, because they are
smaller than that. Also, the stats are hard to compare place to place.
If a guy can acheive penetration on 50% of attempts, is that considered
potent or not? Is the answer the same if people are on Viagra or not?
Everyplace counts things differently. Bottom line is that we don't see
ourselves as statistics, and you don't know how you are going to do
regardless of where you go. Lots of doctors told me Hopkins takes
mostly low risk cases and that reduces the reliability of their stats.
Look at all the information you can, and do what seems best for you
considering all of it. The fact that not everybody picks Hopkins tells
you that there are other choices. Nothing against Hopkins, it is no
doubt a super place, just not necessarily the best for everybody,
particularly if you live at a distance from it.
SteveU

  I think you need to get away from looking for the "perfect" choice. The
way I look at it is that there are probably thousands of great surgeons out
there that will all do the job correctly. Ask for referrals from your local
docs first. Then post where you are to groups like this one, and ask guys
who they liked. Then you need to meet and greet the top candidates and make
your choice. Stats are only one creteria. As soon as I met my guy I knew he
was the one for me.

oops here's my surgeon that I would give an A+ to:

Joph Steckel, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Associate Chairman, Department of Urology
Chief, Division of Urologic Oncology
Dr. Steckel is a graduate of Harvard University and received his medical
degree from Cornell University Medical College. His postgraduate training
was completed at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and Memorial-Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Steckel also completed a fellowship in urologic
oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Steckel is the chief of urologic oncology as well as an attending
urologist at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset. He is a clinical
assistant professor at Cornell University Medical College.

Dr. Steckel is certified by the American Board of Urologists and is a fellow
of the American College of Surgeons.