Mercy Medical Center Earns “A” Grades in Four Categories on Lown Institute’s Hospitals Index

Mercy among best in the nation at serving its patients and community, according to healthcare think tank

(AURORA, IL) July 31, 2026 – Mercy Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, has earned “A” grades in four areas on the Lown Institute’s 2026–27 Hospitals Index. The Lown Institute is an independent think tank advocating bold ideas for a just and caring system for health.  Out of more than 3,500 hospitals evaluated nationwide, Mercy Medical Center stands out for its commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable care.

Mercy Medical Center received “A” grades in the following categories:

• Health Equity – Cost efficiency and avoidance of low-value care
• Community Benefit – reflects a hospital’s commitment to community health and civic leadership
• Clinical Outcomes – how well the hospital keeps patients alive and prevents return trips
• Inclusivity – Delivery of consistent service across income, race, and education levels

“The best hospitals aren’t just clinically excellent, they’re deeply committed to the communities they serve, and work hard to ensure all patients get the care they need,” said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. “High performance on the Lown Index shows that hospitals are doing more of what matters to patients and communities.”

The Lown Institute recognition adds to Mercy Medical Center’s growing record of excellence. Most recently, the hospital achieved the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ from Healthgrades, a national patient safety ratings organization that honors hospitals with the fewest safety-related events among Medicare patients.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the Lown Institute. Our team remains committed to continuously focusing on delivering safe, equitable care to all we serve,” said Fernando Gruta, Chief Executive Officer at Mercy Medical Center. “We have a responsibility to continue to build trust with our patients and community through compassion, quality, and accountability.”

In the seventh annual rankings, the 2026-27 Lown Index evaluates hospitals on over 50 measures including novel metrics such as community benefit, racial inclusivity, and avoidance of overuse. Data sources include Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage claims, CMS patient safety data and hospital cost reports, and IRS 990 forms, among others.

Full methodology can be found on the Lown Index website.

The Lown Institute is an independent think tank advocating bold ideas for a just and caring system for health. Learn more at www.LownHospitalsIndex.org.

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