Saint Francis Hospital Earns “A” Grades in Five Categories on Lown Institute Hospitals Index

Saint Francis Hospital among best in the nation at serving its patients and community, according to healthcare think tank

(EVANSTON, IL) July 28, 2026 – Saint Francis Hospital, a member of the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation, has earned “A” grades in five areas on the Lown Institute’s 2026–27 Hospitals Index. The Lown Institute is an independent think tank advocating bold ideas for a just and caring system for health.  Out of more than 3,500 hospitals evaluated nationwide, Saint Francis stands out for its commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable care.

Saint Francis’s “A” rated categories:

• Social Responsibility – a hospital’s overall combined results of equity, value and outcomes

• Community Benefit – reflects a hospital’s commitment to community health and civic leadership

• Health Equity – Cost efficiency and avoidance of low-value care Community Benefit Grade
• Inclusivity – Delivery of consistent service across income, race, and education levels
• Pay Equity – Executive pay ratio compared to non-clinical staff wages

“The best hospitals aren’t just clinically excellent, they’re deeply committed to the communities they serve, and work hard to ensure all patients get the care they need,” said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. “High performance on the Lown Index shows that hospitals are doing more of what matters to patients and communities.”

The Lown Institute recognition adds to Saint Francis Hospital’s growing record of excellence. Late last year, the hospital achieved Magnet® with Distinction Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the gold standard for nursing excellence, reflecting its continued focus on providing high-quality care to the patients and communities it serves.

“I’m so proud of this team,” said Peter Adamos, Chief Executive Officer at Saint Francis Hospital. “They continue to maintain their focus each day, delivering quality care to our patients and the communities we serve. The patient always comes first at Saint Francis, and these professionals keep patient safety as their priority. It’s always welcomed when their hard work is recognized by respected institutions like the Lown Institute.”

The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is the only ranking to combine metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, for more than 2,700 acute care and 800 critical access hospitals nationwide — offering a holistic view of hospitals as total community partners. In the sixth annual rankings, the 2025-26 Lown Index evaluates hospitals on over 50 measures including novel metrics such as community benefit, racial inclusivity, and avoidance of overuse.

Data sources include Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage claims, CMS patient safety data and hospital cost reports, and IRS 990 forms, among others.

Full methodology can be found on the Lown Index website.

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