Meritus Ranked No. 1 in Maryland for Surgical Care

Recognition highlights exceptional patient outcomes, including four five-star ratings and top-10% national performance in surgical care 

Meritus Medical Center has been named the No. 1 hospital in Maryland for surgical care by Healthgrades, the leading resource Americans use to find a doctor or hospital.

The recognition places Meritus among the top hospitals in the nation. Healthgrades' Specialty Excellence Award ranks Meritus in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for surgical care.

"Being named No. 1 in Maryland for surgical care means our patients have safer procedures and better outcomes," said Carrie Adams, Pharm.D., president of Meritus Medical Center. "Our goal is to provide exceptional care to every patient who chooses Meritus."

Dr. Brian McKinnon, chair of surgery at Meritus Health, said the award reflects the dedication of the entire surgical team.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor, but it’s really a reflection of what happens in our operating rooms every day,” he said. "Outstanding surgical care takes teamwork. From our surgeons and nurses to everyone who supports patients before, during and after surgery, this award recognizes their commitment to safe, high-quality care."

The healthcare ratings organization also gave the hospital five stars for hip fracture treatment, spinal fusion surgery, respiratory failure treatment and diabetic hospitalizations. The hospital has maintained a five-star rating for respiratory failure treatment for 10 consecutive years and diabetic hospitalizations for the past three years.

Healthgrades bases its ratings on patient outcomes, including survival rates and complication rates. Each year, the organization reviews data from about 4,500 hospitals across the country and evaluates more than 30 common conditions and procedures. Hospitals receiving Specialty Excellence Awards represent the nation's highest-performing organizations in their areas of care.

The impact of choosing a high-performing hospital is significant. Healthgrades’ 2027 analysis revealed that if all hospitals performed at the level of five-star rated facilities during the 2023-2025 study period, 227,229 lives could have been saved and 158,138 complications could have been avoided.*

“Finding a hospital that excels in a given procedure or treatment can transform a patient’s health trajectory,” said Dr. Alana Biggers, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize Meritus for its top-tier performance in surgical care, hip fracture treatment, spinal fusion surgery, respiratory failure treatment and diabetic hospitalizations, and commend its team for delivering exceptional patient outcomes when it matters most.”

Patients and community members can visit Healthgrades’ Specialty Excellence Patient Advocate Center to learn more about how Healthgrades identifies the top-performing hospitals for specialty care.

To learn more about Meritus Medical Center, visit www.meritushealth.com.

*Statistical averages based on Healthgrades’ analysis of MedPAR data for years 2023 through 2025 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. To learn more about how Healthgrades determines the top hospitals for specialty care, view the complete  2027 Specialty Excellence Awards and Ratings Methodology.