Kentucky's Top Regional Hospital Isn't in Lexington, Study Reveals

2025 U.S. News & World Report Rankings Highlight Excellence in Kentucky Hospitals

The 2025 rankings of the Best Regional Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report have been released, showcasing the performance of hospitals across the United States. In Kentucky, three hospitals from Lexington are among the top-rated facilities in the state, but none managed to claim the No. 1 position. Instead, St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s Edgewood Hospital in Kenton County earned the top spot this year.

U.S. News evaluates hospitals based on their performance in common procedures and conditions such as hip replacements and heart failure. The rankings also consider hospital specialties, with facilities rated from 1 to 50 in each specialty. This year’s report, released on July 29, included data from over 4,400 hospitals, analyzing factors like risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, and the level of nursing care. The data came from more than 800 million records of patient care.

St. Elizabeth Edgewood was recognized as a high-performing hospital for 20 adult procedures and conditions, including hip replacements and bypass surgeries. Garren Colvin, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, highlighted the hospital's dedication to patient care, stating that the ranking reflects the commitment of its staff and volunteers.

Several other hospitals in Lexington also performed well in the rankings. UK HealthCare’s Albert B. Chandler Hospital ranked second in Kentucky, followed by Baptist Health of Lexington in third place. Norton Hospitals of Louisville placed fourth, while Saint Joseph Hospital of Lexington and Baptist Health Louisville tied for fifth.

According to U.S. News, to be considered among the best hospitals in the state, facilities must demonstrate higher survival rates and lower complication and readmission rates. They must also have better patient experience scores than those not ranked. Chelsey Wen, a senior health data analyst for U.S. News, noted that Lexington is a hub for top-notch healthcare. She pointed out that three of Kentucky’s top-ranked hospitals are located in the city, indicating a strong commitment to excellence in patient outcomes.

Wen also praised the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital for its high performance in specialties such as Cancer, Geriatrics, and Orthopedics. Kristi Willett, a spokesperson for UK HealthCare, mentioned that the organization is analyzing the U.S. News results to identify areas for improvement. She emphasized that the rankings are just one way the healthcare provider measures quality and performance. Other metrics include a 4-Star rating in the Center for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) STAR rating system and a B performance level in The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit focused on patient safety.

In addition to these assessments, Baptist Health CEO Gerard Colman noted that it is the ninth consecutive year that one or more of the system’s hospitals has ranked within the top five in Kentucky. He credited the consistent, high-quality care delivered across the system for this achievement. Similarly, Saint Joseph Health President Matt Grimshaw attributed the hospital’s high rating to the quality of care provided by its caregivers and the commitment to delivering exceptional, compassionate care.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, these rankings highlight the ongoing efforts of hospitals in Lexington to provide high-quality medical services. While the rankings offer valuable insights, they are just one of many tools used to assess hospital performance and guide improvements in patient care.