St. Mary’s Hospital Earns “A” Grades in Three Categories on Lown Institute Hospitals Index
St. Mary’s among best in the nation at serving its patients and community, according to healthcare think tank
(KANKAKEE, IL) July 28, 2026 – St. Mary’s Hospital, a member of the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation has earned “A” grades in three 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, St. Mary’s Hospital stands out for its commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable care.
St. Mary’s Hospital 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
- 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 St. Mary’s Hospital’s growing record of excellence. Most recently, the hospital was named one of Forbes Top Hospitals, reflecting its continued focus on providing high-quality care to the patients and communities it serves. In addition to its Forbes’ Overall Five-Star rating, St. Mary’s also scored Four-Stars for Outcomes, Best Practices, and Value of Care Delivered, placing it in the Top 90th percentile in the nation and among the Top 10 in the State of Illinois.
“We’re honored to be recognized by the Lown Institute. Our team remains committed to continuously focusing on delivering safe, compassionate care to all we serve,” said Patrick Kerrwood, Chief Executive Officer at St. Mary’s Hospital. “We have a responsibility to continue to build on the trust this hospital has fostered with our patients. We’ve been part of the fabric of this community since 1897, and we earn our fellow neighbors’ trust every day.”
The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is the only ranking to combine metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, for more than 2,700 acute care and 800 critical access hospitals nationwide — offering a holistic view of hospitals as total community partners. 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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