(KANKAKEE, IL) MAY 1, 2025 – St. Mary’s Hospital, a member of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, earned its third consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national non-profit focused on patient safety.
“Achieving an “A” Hospital Safety Grade recognizes St. Mary’s unwavering commitment to patient safety and its dedication to providing the highest level of care possible,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to St. Mary’s Hospital, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”
St. Mary’s is the only hospital in Kankakee County to receive the “A” grade in Hospital Safety for spring 2025, a reporting period that saw other regional hospitals receive “B” marks for safety.
The Leapfrog Group is an independent watchdog organization that assigns a letter grade to hospitals based on their performance in keeping patients safe. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems in place to prevent them.
“This achievement, along with earning the 2025 Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award, exemplifies the efforts and commitment of all our physicians and frontline staff who provide the highest level of care to our patients,” said St. Mary’s CEO, Otis Story, Sr. He added, “I’m grateful for the amazing, talented staff here at St. Mary’s, and so proud to lead this team.”
Dr. Kalisha Hill, St. Mary’s Chief Medical Officer, observed, “During my 18 years-plus on St. Mary’s-Kankakee medical staff, I’ve been proud to work with a team that maintains a level of excellence and commitment to our community that’s been the hallmark of St. Mary’s for 128 years and counting. It’s a blessing to work alongside leaders and staff that are so passionate about delivering the best care to this amazing community’s patients.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“Our nurses and patient care techs are instrumental to achieving our third consecutive Leapfrog “A” Grade for patient safety,” added Ann Carpenter, Chief Nursing Officer. “I’m proud to recognize and thank them for their steadfast commitment to our patients and to St. Mary’s.”
This is the second consecutive notable recognition the hospital has received recently for quality and safety, as Healthgrades honored St. Mary’s Hospital with a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award, reflecting St. Mary’s clear commitment to safe, patient-centered care and placing the organization in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.
About St. Mary’s Hospital – Kankakee
Founded in 1897, St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, IL, is part of the Prime Healthcare Foundation. It is a 182- bed acute care facility that remains a cornerstone of the community, offering an Emergency Department with Level II Trauma Center designation, as well as a full complement of specialty care. It specializes in advanced surgical treatments, including heart care, cancer treatment, stroke, and orthopedics. It offers an array of minimally invasive procedures utilizing the latest robotic-assisted technology, along with comprehensive imaging and lab services, and a dedicated inpatient rehabilitation center, all conveniently located on one campus.