St. Elizabeth Healthcare Makes History: Named Greater Cincinnati’s No. 1 Hospital for First Time and Kentucky’s No. 1 for Second Consecutive Year

EDGEWOOD

EDGEWOOD

EDGEWOOD, Ky. — In a landmark achievement, St. Elizabeth Edgewood has been named the No. 1 hospital in Greater Cincinnati and, for the second consecutive year, the No. 1 hospital in Kentucky in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026–2027 Best Hospitals rankings. The historic dual distinction places a Northern Kentucky-based health system at the forefront of healthcare excellence across the Commonwealth and the Greater Cincinnati region.

Established in 1861, St. Elizabeth was founded with a singular mission: to serve the healthcare needs of its community. Today, it stands as a nationally acclaimed health system caring for thousands of patients each year, driven by the same unwavering commitment that inspired its founding more than 160 years ago.

“This is a breakthrough moment for St. Elizabeth and the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Garren Colvin, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “To be recognized as the No. 1 hospital system in Kentucky for a second consecutive year, and now as No. 1 in Greater Cincinnati, reflects the extraordinary dedication of our team and the trust our patients place in us. It is a powerful reminder that nationally recognized care is available close to home. This achievement belongs to every provider, associate and volunteer whose skill, compassion and relentless commitment make exceptional care possible each and every day.”

The U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings are designed to help patients identify hospitals that deliver outstanding care. The 2026–2027 methodology places greater emphasis than ever on risk-adjusted patient outcomes, making St. Elizabeth’s achievement a powerful reflection of measurable clinical performance and the quality of care delivered across the system.

The recognition extends across an extraordinary breadth of care. St. Elizabeth Edgewood is rated High Performing in 21 of 23 evaluated categories—from heart failure and stroke to lung cancer surgery, joint replacement and advanced cardiac procedures—demonstrating excellence across the moments when patients and families need it most. When data is analyzed nationwide, St. Elizabeth Edgewood is ranked No.48 overall in the country.

“Our vision is to lead the communities we serve to be among the healthiest in the nation, and this recognition shows what is possible when innovation, clinical excellence and humanity come together,” said Dr. James Horn, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “From world-renowned heart specialists to advanced cancer treatment and neonatal services, patients can access exceptional expertise and technology right here in our region. That level of care is what drives better outcomes and leads us to meet our vision.”

Together, these rankings mark more than a milestone. They affirm St. Elizabeth’s emergence as a destination for exceptional care—and underscore its promise to keep advancing the health of the region for generations to come.

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*St. Elizabeth’s High Performing Categories (21 out of 23) Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair | Aortic valve surgery | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Colon cancer surgery | Diabetes | Gynecological cancer surgery | Heart arrhythmia | Heart attack | Heart bypass surgery | Heart failure | Hip fracture | Hip replacement | Kidney failure | Knee replacement | Leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma | Lung cancer surgery | Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) | Pacemaker implantation | Pneumonia | Prostate cancer surgery | Stroke

About St. Elizabeth Healthcare St. Elizabeth Healthcare operates six facilities and more than 172 primary care and specialty practices throughout the Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and Greater Cincinnati region. Sponsored by the Diocese of Covington, St. Elizabeth is a mission-based organization committed to improving the health of the communities it serves, providing more than $100 million in uncompensated care and benefits to the community each year. St. Elizabeth is a leader in the Greater Cincinnati region by providing quality care, as demonstrated by the following accolades: St. Elizabeth Edgewood was named the top hospital in Greater Cincinnati in 2026 by U.S. News and #1 in Kentucky in 2025 and 2026; multiple hospitals achieving 5-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, all hospitals earning Magnet Recognition® for nursing excellence and its physicians group receiving the American Medical Group Association’s Acclaim Award for excellence and innovation.  To learn more about the company, please visit St.Elizabeth.com and follow us on social media across Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.