Healthgrades Names CHI Health Nebraska Heart a 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award Recipient
CHI Health Nebraska Heart announced today it has been named a 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use to find a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Nebraska Heart’s commitment to superior, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. This is the fourth consecutive year Nebraska Heart has received this recognition, reaffirming the hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing patients in Lincoln and surrounding communities with the highest quality care.
"Achieving this recognition four years in a row is a true testament to the dedication of each individual who works at CHI Health Nebraska Heart, no matter their role,” said Rick Thompson, MD, President, CHI Health Nebraska Heart. “This should assure our patients and their families that when they walk through our doors, they are receiving care from one of the nation's absolute best. I am profoundly proud of our entire staff, whose unwavering compassion and commitment to excellence makes this kind of consistent, patient-centered care not just a goal, but a daily reality for everyone we serve."
About the Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award
Each year, Healthgrades recognizes the top hospitals nationwide that provide an exceptional experience for patients during their hospital stay. For its 2026 analysis, Healthgrades evaluated Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) patient survey data from nearly 4,000 hospitals across 10 patient experience measures.*
These measures focus on patients’ perceptions of their hospital care, including staff communication, medication explanations, and cleanliness. CHI Health Nebraska Heart’s Outstanding Patient Experience Award is the direct result of positive patient feedback in these critical areas.
"Better patient experiences are correlated with better health outcomes, which is why patients should always strive to seek care at a facility with a clear dedication to high-quality, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Alana Biggers, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “As an Outstanding Patient Experience Award recipient, CHI Health Nebraska Heart sets the benchmark for patient experience nationwide, ensuring that every patient feels heard, empowered, and confident throughout the care journey.”
Consumers can visit healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and view the Outstanding Patient Experience Award Methodology. A patient-friendly overview of Healthgrades’ complete methodology is also available here.
*Healthgrades evaluated 3,020 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), covering admissions from January 2024 to December 2024. Hospitals in the bottom 20% for overall clinical quality were excluded from consideration.
About CHI Health
CHI Health is a regional health network with a unified mission: nurturing the healing ministry of the Church while creating healthier communities. Headquartered in Omaha, the Midwest Region consists of 28 hospitals, two stand-alone behavioral health facilities, 200 clinics and 12,588 employees. CHI Health’s Midwest Region operates in four-states, serving Nebraska, southwest Iowa, North Dakota and Minnesota. In fiscal year 2023, CHI Health provided $231.1 million in community benefit, including $183.6 million in care for the underinsured and uninsured, helping 196,181 patients.
CHI Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 through the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. CommonSpirit Health is committed to creating healthy communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care.
About CommonSpirit Health
Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 157,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4.2 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system. Learn more at commonspirit.org.
About Healthgrades
Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering meaningful connections between patients, doctors, and hospitals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.
For over 20 years, our health system, group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have helped our partners reach and engage consumers on their way to the doctor.
Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central and Bezzy, which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month