Only Southwest Florida hospitals recognized on inaugural national list
Dec. 5, 2025 — Lee Health is proud to announce that Lee Memorial Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center have been named to the inaugural Forbes’ Top Hospitals 2026 list. The Lee Health locations are the only hospitals in Southwest Florida to earn this prestigious national recognition.
Forbes developed its first-ever Top Hospitals list to help consumers navigate the complex healthcare landscape by identifying general acute care hospitals that consistently deliver high-quality, high-value care. The rating system uses independently validated measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Provider Data Catalog, assessing hospitals on patient outcomes, best practices, value, and patient experience.
A key component of the methodology is its strong emphasis on clinical patient outcomes, including mortality, survival, infection, and readmission rates. These outcomes are further adjusted for social drivers of health to ensure a fair comparison across hospitals and communities.
From more than 5,400 eligible hospitals nationwide, only 253 earned a 5-star rating, placing Lee Memorial Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center among a select group of high-performing hospitals across the country. The hospitals were ranked in the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide with five-star ratings.
“This recognition from Forbes is a testament to the exceptional dedication of our physicians, nurses and team members who work tirelessly every day to deliver safe, compassionate, high-quality care,” said Lee Health President and CEO Larry Antonucci, M.D. “Being the only hospitals in Southwest Florida to make this inaugural list highlights our unwavering commitment to our patients and our community. We are honored to serve this region and proud of the trust our neighbors place in us.”
Forbes’ Top Hospitals list was developed in collaboration with an advisory panel of clinicians, researchers, health policy experts and patient advocates, along with Inovalon, a healthcare data and analytics firm. The methodology reflects nationally recognized standards and prioritizes measurable patient outcomes to help consumers make informed decisions about where to seek care.
About Lee Health
Lee Health has been a cornerstone of health care in Southwest Florida since opening its first hospital in 1916. As a non-profit, integrated health system, Lee Health is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. With a strong commitment to community health and wellness, Lee Health commits to evolving with the growing and changing needs of the region. The system offers comprehensive services through four acute care hospitals, Golisano Children’s Hospital, three skilled nursing locations, outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, and a wide network of primary care and specialty practices. Lee Health supports every step of the health journey, from preventive care to advanced treatment for every member of our community. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.
