Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center has been named one of the top hospitals in North Carolina by U.S. News and World Report.
The publication ranked NHRMC No. 12 out of 127 hospitals across the state, with a patient experience score of two out of five stars. The facility received average survival scores across the specialties of cardiology, heart and vascular surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology. It received poor survival scores across cancer, neurology and neurosurgery, and pulmonology and lung surgery.
In May, the hospital earned a three-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for 2026, an improvement from its previous rating of two stars. It also
maintained a 'C' safety grade from The Leapfrog Group for the fourth consecutive time.
NHRMC received a score of 28 out of 100 for cancer treatment, but the site noted that the hospital is high performing in following procedures and conditions related to gynecological, lung and prostate cancer surgery.
The facility earned high-performing ratings in areas including abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, hip and knee replacement, pacemaker implantation, maternity care and ear, nose and throat surgery. The hospital also ranked No. 3 for rehabilitation in the state.
"When a patient is facing a cancer diagnosis, undergoing surgery or arriving at the hospital in an emergency, they deserve personalized care they can trust," Dr. David Priest, senior vice president and chief safety and quality officer for Novant, said in a news release. "We're honored to be recognized among North Carolina's top hospitals and proud of our physicians, nurses and team members, whose commitment to remarkable care has earned a total of 58 high-performing designations across Novant Health.”
NHRMC scored below the state and national averages on all patient experience categories including willingness to recommend, cleanliness, noise volume, communication and patient safety.
Duke University Hospital earned the top spot with a patient experience score of four out of five stars. Atrium Health in Charlotte and UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, which are both competing against Novant to expand in Wilmington, were ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.
Novant's top entry was the Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, which ranked No. 6. The provider's Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem ranked No. 17. Across the system, 12 Novant hospitals received high-performing designations from the publication.
Healthcare in North Carolina ranked No. 19 nationwide on the site, with Hawaii earning the top spot.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover hospital one of the best in the state, report says
