Congratulations to the top 20 Iowa hospitals being honored for clinical excellence!
Newsweek and Statista have officially released the "America’s Best-in-State Hospitals 2026". We are thrilled to share that 20 of our Iowa customer facilities have earned a spot on this prestigious list, joining an elite group of 800 top-performing hospitals recognized nationwide.
Out of more than 6,000 hospitals across the United States, these rankings serve as a vital guide for patients and families seeking the most reliable, high-quality care within their own communities. The 2026 evaluation incorporated real-time hospital quality metrics, patient experience data, and expert recommendations from thousands of medical professionals.
The ICN Commitment to Iowa Healthcare
The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) takes great pride in supporting our state's hospitals and clinics. By providing secure, high-speed connectivity, we enable life-
saving telehealth services and advanced medical coordination. It is an honor to empower the medical professionals across Iowa as they carry out their essential work.
Official Rankings: Iowa’s Best-in-State Hospitals
The following 20 facilities have been recognized for their outstanding commitment to patient care:
- UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids ★
- UI Health Care Medical Center, Iowa City
- MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, Dubuque ★
- Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids
- Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames ★
- MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, Des Moines
- Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Council Bluffs ★
- MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, Mason City
- Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines
- CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs
- UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital, Waterloo
- Spencer Municipal Hospital, Spencer ★
- UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines
- MercyOne Genesis Medical Center - Davenport
- St. Anthony Regional Hospital, Carroll
- Sioux Center Health, Sioux Center ★
- MercyOne Clinton Medical Center, Clinton
- Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington
- UnityPoint Health Trinity, Bettendorf
- Orange City Area Health System, Orange City ★
★ Indicates the hospital received an additional Patient Experience Award for outstanding performance in patient satisfaction.
Updated 2026 Methodology
To reflect the evolving landscape of healthcare, the 2026 rankings were expanded from 700 to 800 hospitals nationwide. This year’s scores are based on four critical
data pillars:
- Hospital Quality Metrics (50%): Includes data from CMS, the AHA Annual Survey (now featuring staffing metrics), and new accreditation coverage from
groups like The Joint Commission and Planetree. - Hospital Reputation (30%): Determined by a nationwide survey of tens of thousands of healthcare professionals.
- Patient Experience (15%): Measured via Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys, focusing on nurse and
doctor communication as well as hospital cleanliness. - PROMs Implementation (5%): A specialized focus on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to track real-time recovery quality.
By prioritizing proximity and accessibility, Newsweek and Statista R provide a roadmap for clinical excellence in every state.
Supporting Iowa’s Rural Health
In addition to direct broadband, the ICN provides consultation and security for the Iowa Rural Health Telecommunications Program (IRHTP). This ensures that rural facilities can access the same life-saving databases and specialists as larger urban healthcare centers. For more information you can visit our Healthcare page to learn more about what we do for these trusted facilities in our state.