ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mission Hospital has been recognized among the top-performing hospitals in North Carolina in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025–2026 Best Hospitals rankings, becoming the only hospital in Western North Carolina to receive the designation.
The annual rankings, released this week, evaluate more than 4,400 hospitals nationwide based on performance in 15 adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions. Only 13 percent of hospitals evaluated earned the “Best Hospital” distinction.
Mission Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare, was ranked among the top 10 hospitals statewide based on high marks in patient safety, mortality rates, preventable complications and performance across multiple specialties and procedures.
“This distinction measures, among other things, our strong performance in patient safety, mortality rates, and preventable complications, which reflects the exceptional skill and compassion of our staff,” Mission Hospital and Mission Health CEO Greg Lowe said in a news release. “We are honored to serve our community and remain committed to continually advancing the quality of care we deliver.”
Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News, said the regional hospital rankings are designed to help patients identify high-performing care close to home.
“For most Americans, health care decisions are made close to home. The Best Regional Hospitals rankings underscore the difference high-performing local medical centers make,” Harder said in the release. “These rankings, entirely performance-driven, equip individuals and their families, in consultation with their medical providers, to choose the highest quality care available in their own communities.”
Mission Hospital is licensed for 853 beds and serves as the region’s only Level II trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and children’s hospital. It also holds Magnet designation for nursing excellence.
The full rankings are available online and will be included in the upcoming print edition of Best Hospitals 2026 Guidebook from U.S. News & World Report.