Saint Joseph Hospital Earns “A” Grades in Two Categories on Lown Institute Hospitals Index

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

(ELGIN, IL) July 28, 2026 – Saint Joseph Hospital, a member of Prime Healthcare, has earned
“A” grades in two 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, Saint Joseph Hospital stands out for its commitment to delivering in these categories.

Saint Joseph Hospital received “A” grades in the following categories:

• Health Equity – Cost efficiency and avoidance of low-value care
• 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 Saint Joseph Hospital’s growing record of excellence.
Most recently, the hospital was recognized by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) with Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA), affirming the hospital’s ongoing commitment to older adults in the community by providing specialized, compassionate care in the ER.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the Lown Institute. Our team remains committed to serving this diverse community and meeting each patient’s unique healthcare needs while always keeping an eye on delivering cost effective, efficient care to all we serve,” said Eva Balderrama, Chief Executive Officer at Saint Joseph Hospital. “We have a responsibility to continue to build trust with our patients and community through compassion, quality, and accountability.”

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.

# # #