Vizient, U.S. News & World Report and Other Recognition Released

August 6, 2026 | 5 min. read

Several NM hospitals receive recognition from Vizient
Vizient ranks medical centers and medical groups within a cohort of their peers based on quality measures. 

Period 3 results include nine months of data (rankings for the third quarter of the award year).

• Huntley Hospital, McHenry Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital are in the top 2% of their cohorts.
• Central DuPage Hospital and Delnor Hospital are in the top 5% of their cohorts.
• Palos Hospital is in the top 10% of its cohort.

​NM hospitals recognized by U.S. News & World Report
In the U.S. News & World Report, 2026 – 2027, Best Hospitals rankings:

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital has earned Honor Roll status for the 15th consecutive year.
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital achieved a Top 10 ranking in all 10 data-driven specialties and earned High Performing in all procedures and conditions. 
• Central DuPage Hospital, Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital achieved national ranking for at least one specialty.
• Six Northwestern Medicine acute care hospitals are ranked in Chicago and Illinois.

​Find more detailed rankings, including information about specialties, on the U.S. News & World Report website.

Several NM hospitals receive an A in spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade 
The following hospitals each achieved an A in the spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade:

• Central DuPage Hospital
• Delnor Hospital
• Huntley Hospital
• Kishwaukee Hospital
• McHenry Hospital
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital

The grade is published by a consortium of employers and rates hospitals on a combination of measures, including self-reported safety practices, patient satisfaction, infection data, and other quality and safety data points. Learn more.
 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2026
In the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, six NM hospitals achieved the highest rating of five stars for 2026:

• Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital
• Central DuPage Hospital
• Delnor Hospital
• Huntley Hospital, McHenry Hospital and Woodstock Hospital (ranked together)
• Kishwaukee Hospital
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital

​Huntley Hospital and McHenry Hospital receive Magnet with Distinction
Huntley Hospital and McHenry Hospital each received their second Magnet® designations for nursing excellence and their first Magnet with Distinction® from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The designation is the highest honor for professional nursing practice and is considered the gold standard for nursing excellence.

Multiple NM hospitals recognized for heart and stroke care
Several NM hospitals received American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines® recognition for 2026. Learn more about Get With the Guidelines Stroke.
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The following hospitals received Get With The Guidelines® – Heart awards:
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• Coronary Artery Disease Award: Silver Receiving
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Coronary Artery Disease Award: Rural ACS Silver; Rural STEMI Silver; Silver Chest Pain Plus; Bronze Referring
  • Valley West Hospital
• Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
  • Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital
  • Central DuPage Hospital
  • Delnor Hospital
  • Huntley Hospital
  • Kishwaukee Hospital
  • McHenry Hospital
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Silver Plus with Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
  • Palos Hospital
• Rural Silver with Target: Heart Failure Optimal and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
  • Valley West Hospital

​The following hospitals received Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke awards:
​

• Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus with Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
  • Central DuPage Hospital
• Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
  • Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital
  • Delnor Hospital
  • Huntley Hospital
  • Kishwaukee Hospital
  • McHenry Hospital
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital
  • Palos Hospital
• Rural Silver:
  • Valley West Hospital

Ben Gordon Center receives Bridge Grant to assist women impacted by substance use
The Ben Gordon Center in DeKalb was awarded the Bridge Program Grant for Pregnant Women and Women with Dependent Children through the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

• The purpose of the grant is to build and enhance specialized programming for women who are pregnant and women who have dependent children and are impacted by substance use and co-occurring disorders. The award period is projected to run through June 30, 2028.

NM receives GEM Award from Crystal Lake Chamber Foundation
Northwestern Medicine was recognized for its service, commitment and contributions to the community by the Crystal Lake Chamber Foundation. The GEM Award is given to organizations and leaders who exemplify the principles of the award: Generous, Enthusiastic and Motivated.
 
Nursing recognition
Learn about recent nursing recognition in the spring issues of Nursing Now.

​Accreditation and certification renewals

• Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital received re-accreditation from The Joint Commission in January and is accredited for three years.
• Central DuPage Hospital received re-accreditation from The Joint Commission in February and is accredited for three years.
• Delnor Hospital, Huntley Hospital, McHenry Hospital and Woodstock Hospital received a renewal of their Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics status, effective until 2029.
• Delnor Emergency Medical Services was renewed for another four years as an EMS system by the IDPH Division of EMS & Highway Safety.
• Huntley Hospital and McHenry Hospital were re-designated as Level II Trauma Centers in Illinois.