Honors and Awards
When you choose Northwestern Medicine for your family’s healthcare needs, you can feel confident knowing that we are in relentless pursuit of world-class care. We’re proud that our work has earned a wide variety of national recognitions.
View all Northwestern Medicine U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Award-Winning Health Care
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
2024:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2024 – 2025): The No. 1 hospital in Illinois (tie) for 13 straight years and nationally ranked in 11 clinical specialties.
2023:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2023 – 2024): The only Illinois hospital on the national Honor Roll for 12 straight years and is nationally ranked in 11 clinical specialties
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2023): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
2022:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2022 – 2023): Ranked No. 9 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with 10 clinical specialties nationally ranked, and No. 1 in Illinois and in the Chicago Metro Region.
- Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality (2022): Leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2022): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
2021:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2021 – 2022): Ranked No. 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with 10 clinical specialties nationally ranked, and No. 1 in Illinois and in the Chicago Metro Region
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2021): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
2020:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2020 – 2021): Ranked No. 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with 11 clinical specialties nationally ranked, and No. 1 in Illinois and in the Chicago Metro Region
- Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality (2020): Leader in LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index – Ninth consecutive year
- Northwestern Medicine has been awarded CHIME's Most Wired - Quality Award, with Level 8 recognition for both Ambulatory and Acute Care. CHIME's Annual Most Wired Survey is designed to identify and recognize healthcare organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.
2019:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2019 – 2020): Ranked No. 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with 12 clinical specialties nationally ranked, and No. 1 in Illinois and in the Chicago Metro Region
- Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality (2019): Leader in LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index – Eighth consecutive year
2018:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2018 – 2019): Ranked 13th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with 11 specialties nationally ranked, and 1st in Illinois and in the Chicago Metro Region
- Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality (2018): Leader in LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index – Seventh consecutive year
2017:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2017 – 2018): Ranked 13th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with 11 specialties nationally ranked, and 1st in Illinois and in the Chicago Metro Region
- Truven Health Analytics (2017): Northwestern Memorial Hospital named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals®
- Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality (2017): Leader in LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index – Sixth consecutive year
2016:
- Centers for Disease Control Champion (2016): One of eight hospitals and health systems recognized for implementing innovative ways to prevent venous thromboembolic blood clots
- Consumer Reports C-section Delivery Rates (2016): Ranked highest volume maternity hospital with lowest percentage of C-section rates for first-time mothers/low-risk births
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2016 – 2017): Ranked 8th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with 13 specialties nationally ranked, and 1st in Illinois and in the Chicago Metro Region
- Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality (2016): Leader in LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index – Fifth consecutive year
- Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women (2016): Eighth consecutive year by the National Association for Female Executives
2015:
- 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers (2015): Northwestern Memorial Hospital was named on 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers–16th consecutive year on Working Mother magazine’s list
- Magnet® Recognition (2015): Earned Magnet® status, the gold standard for nursing excellence and quality care from the American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Quality Oncology Practice Initiative® Certification (2015): Received a three-year certification for meeting the highest standards of quality for outpatient hematology-oncology practices
- “Top Performer” (2015): The only academic medical center in Chicago named by the Joint Commission for outstanding performance on surgical care, heart attack, pneumonia and heart failure quality measures
- Consumer Choice Award (2015): Ranked as having the best physicians, best nurses, best overall quality and best overall image/reputation as determined by a national survey of more than 290,000 healthcare consumers–17th year
- Alliance for Work-Life Progress (2015): Seal of Distinction for Leadership in Workplace Strategy–third consecutive year
2014:
- Becker’s Hospital Review: “150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare”
- Chicago Scholars: “Diversity Talent Pipeline” Award
- Work-Life Seal of Designation: Second consecutive year
- National Association for Female Executives: Sixth consecutive year
- Leader in Patient Safety: Northwestern Memorial Hospital received a hospital safety score of “A” from The Leapfrog Group
2010 – 2012:
- University Health System Consortium (2011): Ranked Northwestern Memorial Hospital 3rd in the University HealthSystem Consortium 2011 Quality and Accountability rankings of academic medical centers.
- Thomas Reuters 100 Top Hospitals (2011): Recognized Northwestern Memorial Hospital as one of the nation’s Top Hospitals for 2011 by Thomson Reuters, an annual study that examines the overall performance of more than 3,000 hospitals nationwide.
- Mayor Daley Landscaping Award (2010): Northwestern Memorial Hospital was awarded first place for commercial landscaping by Mayor Daley's Landscape Program. Mayor Daley extends this honor to corporate institutions who commit to developing and beautifying green space in the community.
- Chicago Cares Award (2010): Northwestern Memorial Hospital received the award for being the largest corporate participant during the Chicago Cares volunteer event.
- Chicago Healthcare Executives Forum (CHEF) (2012): Northwestern Memorial Hospital received an honorable mention for community contributions by Daniel Derman, MD, and Posh Charles.
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
2015:
- 100 Most Wired (2015): Northwestern Memorial HealthCare was named Hospitals & Health Networks Top 100 Most Wired – For effective use of information technology to achieve clinical and operational excellence
2010 – 2011:
- National Quality Health Care Award (2011): Northwestern Memorial HealthCare is the sole recipient of the prestigious National Quality Award, presented by the National Committee for Quality Health Care.
- American Hospital Association’s McKesson Quest for Quality Award (2011): Northwestern Memorial HealthCare ranked one of two national finalists in the American Hospital Association’s McKesson Quest for Quality award recognizing our commitment to providing exceptional and safe care.
- CEO Leadership Circle of Excellence Award (2010): Dean M. Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, is one of four Chicago United members who received the 2010 CEO Leadership Circle of Excellence Award for extraordinary commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
2022:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2022 – 2023): Ranked No. 12 (tie) in the Chicago Metro Area and Illinois.
- Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality (2022): Leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2022): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
2020:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2020 – 2021): Ranked 9th in the Chicago Metro Area and Illinois.
- Northwestern Medicine has been awarded CHIME's Most Wired - Quality Award, with Level 8 recognition for both Ambulatory and Acute Care. CHIME's Annual Most Wired Survey is designed to identify and recognize healthcare organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.
2018:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2018 – 2019): Ranked 13th in the Chicago Metro Area and 16th in Illinois.
2017:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2017 – 2018): Ranked 18th in the Chicago Metro Area and 23rd in Illinois
- Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality (2017): Leader in LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2016 – 2017): Ranked 19th in the Chicago Metro Region and 27th in Illinois (tied)
- The Joint Commission:
- Hospital Accreditation, Home Care Accreditation and Nursing Care Center Accreditation
- Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification for Home Health, and Wood-Prince Family Stroke Center
- Certified Chest Pain Center
- Advanced Certification for Palliative Care
- Certification for Wound Care through Healogics®
- Certification for Diabetes through Healogics®
- Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC): Accredited echocardiography laboratories
- Emergency Nurses Association: “Lantern Award” recipient
- American Association of Blood Banks: Participant
- American Association of Diabetes Educators: Special recognition for outpatient Diabetes Education Program
- American College of Radiology: Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
- American College of Surgeons–Commission on Cancer: “Comprehensive Community Cancer Program”
- American Nurses Credentialing Center: Magnet® Recognition – Earned Magnet® status, the gold standard for nursing excellence and quality care
- College of American Pathologists: For Laboratory Services
- Illinois Department of Public Health: For Trauma Center, EDAP and Level II+ Special Care Nursery
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services: For Dearhaven Child Care and Learning Center
- National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers: Posy Krehbiel Breast Care Center and Northwestern Medicine Grayslake Women’s Center
- National Association for the Education of Young Children: Dearhaven Child Care and Learning Center
2015:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2015): Ranked 16th in the Chicago Metro Region and 19th in Illinois
- American Nurses Credentialing Center: Magnet® Recognition–Earned Magnet® status, the gold standard for nursing excellence and quality care
- Consumer Choice Award: Ranked as having the best physicians, best nurses, best overall quality and best overall image/reputation as determined by a national survey of more than 290,000 healthcare consumers–tenth year
2014:
- The Leapfrog Group: Leader in Patient Safety–Third consecutive year for hospital safety scores
2013:
- 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers: 14th consecutive year on Working Mother magazine’s list
- Top 100 Fitness Centers: Recognized among the top five hospital-owned health clubs in the country
- Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care: Chest Pain Center Accreditation
View all Lake Forest Hospital U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
2022:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2022 – 2023): Ranked No. 12 (tie) in the Chicago Metro Area and Illinois.
- Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality (2022): Leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2022): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
2020:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2020 – 2021): Ranked No. 8 in the Chicago Metro Region and Illinois.
- Northwestern Medicine has been awarded CHIME's Most Wired - Quality Award, with Level 8 recognition for both Ambulatory and Acute Care. CHIME's Annual Most Wired Survey is designed to identify and recognize healthcare organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.
2019:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2019 – 2020): Ranked No. 6 in the Chicago Metro Region and Illinois, and ranked No. 32 nationally in Orthopaedics
2018:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2018 – 2019): Ranked 6th in the Chicago Metro Region and 7th Illinois, and ranked 32nd nationally in Orthopaedics
2017:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2017 – 2018): Ranked 5th in the Chicago Metro Region and in Illinois, ranked 30th nationally in Orthopedics, and ranked 43rd nationally in Gynecology
2016:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2016 – 2017): Ranked 7th in the Chicago Metro Region and in Illinois, and 25th nationally in Orthopedics, climbing 11 spots from last year
2015:
- U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Hospitals (2015): Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital is ranked 36th in the nation for orthopaedic care by U.S. News & World Report, and is one of only four hospitals in Illinois to earn recognition as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation
- Truven Health Analytics (2006 – 2010, 2012 – 2015): Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) is named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals®—considered to be the hospital industry’s highest honor—for nine out of the past 10 years
View all Central DuPage Hospital U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital
2022:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2022 – 2023): Ranked No. 18 (tie) in the Chicago Metro Area and No. 20 (tie) in Illinois.
- Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality (2022): Leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2022): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
2020:
- Northwestern Medicine has been awarded CHIME's Most Wired - Quality Award, with Level 8 recognition for both Ambulatory and Acute Care. CHIME's Annual Most Wired Survey is designed to identify and recognize healthcare organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.
2019:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2019 – 2020): Ranked No. 15 in the Chicago Metro Region and No. 18 in Illinois
2018:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2018 – 2019): Ranked 13th in the Chicago Metro Region and 16th in Illinois
2016:
- The Leapfrog Group: Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital was named a Top General Hospital and was one of 115 Top Hospitals recognized across the country
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2016 – 2017): Ranked 19th in the Chicago Metro Region and 27th in Illinois (tied)
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital
- Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality (2022): Leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2022): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Received a four-star rating.
- Leader in Patient Safety: Received a hospital safety score of an “A” from The Leapfrog Group.
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2021 – 2022): Ranked High Performing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, kidney failure and adult maternity care (uncomplicated pregnancy).
- American College of Surgeons (ACS): Achieved Meritoriously Performing in the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).
- Top Performer in Quality Leadership Annual Ranking from Vizient.
- Magnet® Recognition (2021): Earned Magnet® status, the gold standard for nursing excellence and quality care from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
- American Heart Association Get with the Guidelines® (2021) awards:
- Heart failure Gold Plus with Honor Roll
- Stroke Silver Plus with Honor Rolle Elite
- Stroke Bronze with Honor Roll
- Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Joint Commission:
- Only accredited hip and knee joint replacement program in the Northwestern Medicine system.
- Earned a Primary Stroke Center Certification.
Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital
- Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (2021): Received the IMPACT Award for innovative behavioral health solutions in the Emergency Department.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Received a four-star rating.
- Magnet® Recognition (2021): Earned Magnet® status, the gold standard for nursing excellence and quality care from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Northwestern Medicine McHenry, Huntley, and Woodstock Hospitals
2022:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2022 – 2023): Ranked No. 9 (tie) in the Chicago Metro Area and Illinois.
- Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality (2022): Leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index
- “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” (2022): Top score and designated as “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the Disability Equality Index
2020:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2020 – 2021): McHenry, Huntley, and Woodstock Hospitals are ranked No. 19 in the Chicago Metro Region and No. 23 in Illinois
- Northwestern Medicine has been awarded CHIME's Most Wired - Quality Award, with Level 8 recognition for both Ambulatory and Acute Care. CHIME's Annual Most Wired Survey is designed to identify and recognize healthcare organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.
2019:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2019 – 2020): McHenry Hospital was ranked No. 20 in the Chicago Metro Region and No. 25 in Illinois
View all McHenry, Huntley, and Woodstock Hospitals U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital
2022:
- U.S. News & World Report America's Best Hospitals (2022 – 2023): Ranked No. 14 (tie) in the Chicago Metro Area and Illinois.
2020:
- The Joint Commission:
- Accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- Earned a Gold Seal of Approval®
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Gold-Level Beacon Award for Excellence: The Intensive Care Unit received the Beacon Award for Excellence due to the caregivers' ability to successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with the association’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards.
2019:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois: Selected as a Blue Distinction Care Center+ for Spine Surgery, demonstrating expertise and delivering improved patient safety as well as better health outcomes.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Received a four-star rating.
- College of American Pathologists: Received a two-year accreditation due to the ability to meet the highest standards of laboratory quality and proficiency testing.
- Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award: The Emergency Department received this award for demonstrating exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research.
2018
- American Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation Certification: The Cardiac Rehabilitation Department received a three-year certification in recognition of its commitment to improving quality of life by enhancing standards of care.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Received a four-star rating.
- Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories: The Echocardiography Laboratory received a three-year accreditation for its dedication to ensuring quality patient care and promoting health care.
2017
- CHIME HealthCare Most Wired®: CHIME's Annual Most Wired Survey is designed to identify and recognize healthcare organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.
- American Diabetes Association: The Outpatient Diabetes Program received a three-year accreditation for instructing patients and family members on the prevention and management of diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2, gestational and pre-diabetes.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Received a five-star rating.
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