Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center ranked among best hospitals in the country

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released 2024 ratings for health care facilities as part of its Care Compare program, and Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center ranks among the finest. 

St. Mary’s received a five-star rating, the best possible score for a health care facility. Of the more than 2,800 hospitals rated nationwide by CMS, only about 14% garnered five-star ratings. This is a direct result of our highly skilled care teams, including nurses, providers, technicians, therapists and others who live out our values every day and provide world-class care to our patients.

CMS’ ratings are based on how well a hospital performs across different areas of quality, like the patient experience, providing timely and effective care, readmission rates, mortality and safety. 

“We are incredibly proud to have received a five-star rating as it’s a testament to the unwavering dedication and exceptional care provided by our staff,” said Tamm Kritzer, senior vice president of hospital operations. “This achievement reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality health care services and prioritizing the well-being of our patients. It is a recognition of the hard work, expertise and compassion demonstrated by our staff every day, and we are honored to be recognized for our commitment to excellence.”

This is the third consecutive year St. Mary’s Medical Center has received the highest possible rating. Essentia Health-Duluth received a four-star rating, placing it among the top 27% of hospitals rated by CMS.

Meanwhile, Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd earned a four-star rating, also placing it in the top 27% of the more than 2,800 hospitals rated by CMS nationwide.

“Receiving a four-star rating is a remarkable achievement that fills us with immense pride,” said Todd Defreece, Essentia’s senior vice president of regional operations. “It is a testament to the exceptional skills, compassion and dedication of our providers and staff who consistently go above and beyond to provide the highest quality of care to our patients in the Brainerd Lakes area. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to excellence and motivates us to further improve our already outstanding health care services that positively impact the lives of those we serve.”

You can find the ratings for a variety of facilities on the Medicare Compare website, which is one tool patients can use to research high-quality care. When making health care decisions, patients should use all the tools at their disposal, such as talking with friends and family as well as consulting with doctors, nurses and other trusted medical professionals.