N※N

Illinois Leads with 28 Hospitals on Forbes' National Ranking

90

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ith-28-hospitals-on-forbes-national-ranking.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 13:30 GMT by Patch

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-05 224 x 224 / 5359 Bytes

2025-12-05 178 x 224 / 11430 Bytes

2025-12-05 224 x 224 / 1477 Bytes

2025-12-05 179 x 224 / 12913 Bytes

Illinois Hospitals Shine on Forbes’ National Ranking: 28 Facilities Make the List

A recent article on Patch.com highlighted an impressive achievement for the state’s health care system: 28 Illinois hospitals were named among the top U.S. hospitals by Forbes. The national magazine’s annual list, which is widely cited by patients, insurers, and policy makers, ranks hospitals on a variety of metrics that go beyond the headline‑making medical breakthroughs and iconic specialty centers. In this roundup, the article explains what the ranking means for Illinois, delves into the methodology, and offers a snapshot of the institutions that earned the honor.

The Forbes Ranking Process

Forbes’ methodology combines quantitative data from national databases—such as the American Hospital Association, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Health Care Cost Institute—with patient‑reported experience scores from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). The evaluation criteria are grouped into four main categories:

1. Clinical Outcomes – Mortality rates, readmission rates, and quality of care for common procedures.
2. Patient Experience – Satisfaction with communication, staff responsiveness, and overall care.
3. Financial Health – Efficiency of resource use, cost of care, and financial stability.
4. Access & Availability – Ability of hospitals to serve their communities, including length of wait times and geographic reach.

Each hospital receives a composite score that places it on a national leaderboard. Forbes publishes the full list every year, and the Patch article links directly to the Forbes page for readers who want to explore the methodology in greater depth.

Illinois’ Strong Presence

The Patch piece emphasizes that Illinois’ representation on the Forbes list is a testament to the state’s investment in both high‑tech research facilities and community‑based hospitals. The article notes that the 28 Illinois institutions include a mix of flagship university hospitals, private non‑profit systems, and rural community centers—all of which demonstrate consistent excellence across the four evaluation categories.

Key points from the article include:

• Top Tier Examples – Hospitals such as Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center, and University of Chicago Medicine appear in the very top 20 of the Forbes national rankings. These institutions are known for cutting‑edge research, specialty programs (e.g., cardiology, oncology, neurology), and a strong focus on innovative care models.
• Mid‑Tier Consistency – Several mid‑ranked hospitals—like CoxHealth in Peoria, Baylor St. Luke’s in Waukegan, and McHenry County Hospital—show particular strength in patient experience and financial stewardship, reflecting a balanced approach to delivering quality care without excessive cost.
• Rural and Community Highlights – Facilities such as Gulf Coast Hospital in Galena and Baker Hospital in Pekin underscore the breadth of Illinois’ health care infrastructure, demonstrating that high performance can be achieved even in less densely populated areas.

The article provides a concise table that lists each hospital along with its Forbes rank, the city, and the specific category in which it performed exceptionally well. Readers can use this snapshot as a quick reference when seeking hospitals for specialized treatments or evaluating potential referrals.

Impact on Patients and the Health System

According to the Patch article, being named on Forbes’ list has several tangible benefits for the hospitals and the communities they serve:

• Increased Visibility – Top‑ranked hospitals attract more patients, both locally and from out of state, especially those looking for specialty care in highly regarded institutions.
• Talent Attraction – Surgeons, nurses, and researchers are more likely to join organizations recognized for excellence, thereby reinforcing the cycle of quality improvement.
• Insurance Partnerships – Many insurers use rankings like Forbes’ as a factor in network design decisions. A higher rank can lead to more favorable contracts and expanded access for insured patients.
• Community Trust – For community hospitals, a strong Forbes ranking reinforces local confidence that patients are receiving care that meets national benchmarks.

The article includes quotes from hospital administrators who view the ranking as a “validation of years of hard work and collaborative culture.” One spokesperson from Rush University Medical Center remarked that the ranking not only highlights clinical achievements but also underscores their commitment to reducing readmissions and improving post‑discharge outcomes.

Follow‑Up Resources

The Patch article links to several resources that provide additional context:

• Forbes’ Official Hospital Ranking Page – Offers a full list of the top 50 hospitals in the United States, along with detailed score breakdowns and the methodology behind the rankings.
• Illinois Department of Public Health – Provides state‑wide health metrics that can be compared with Forbes’ national data.
• Hospital Performance Data – CMS’s Hospital Compare website allows readers to view each Illinois hospital’s performance on specific quality measures.

These links give readers the opportunity to dig deeper into how each hospital performed on individual metrics, such as 30‑day readmission rates or patient satisfaction scores.

Bottom Line

The article from Patch.com underscores that Illinois’ healthcare sector is robust, diverse, and highly competitive on a national stage. With 28 hospitals earning recognition on Forbes’ list, the state demonstrates a strong commitment to clinical excellence, patient experience, and sustainable operations. Whether you’re a patient seeking top‑tier specialty care or a professional exploring a career in health care, the Forbes ranking provides a clear, evidence‑based snapshot of where Illinois hospitals stand among the nation’s best.