GENEVA – Employees at UH Geneva Medical Center had a reason to celebrate Aug. 5.
Recently, the medical center was named among the top hospitals patients would highly recommend by Becker’s Hospital Review, one of the nation’s most respected healthcare industry publications, according to a news release.
A five-star celebration was held in the cafeteria as the workers enjoyed a summer picnic to mark the recognition. It was a tribute to the dedication, professionalism and human connection demonstrated by the caregivers every day, according to UH Geneva Medical Center.
In addition, the employees could sign their names on a large board that recognizes the honor.
“I think this is a really nice event,” Catherine Vaughn, an RN, said. “The hospital usually puts on nice events for the staff like this throughout the year, and I think it’s a good way to give back to the staff.”
She and Emilee Chadwick, another RN, didn’t think UH Geneva Medical Center achieving the honor was very shocking, however.
“I think the fact that we are a smaller community-driven hospital allows us to be more in touch and dedicated to our patients because we are smaller,” Chadwick said.
According to the news release, every touchpoint in the patient’s journey — from registration to nursing and everything in between — contributed to UH Geneva earning this five-star recognition.
“Without a doubt, this outstanding achievement reflects the confidence our patients place in their caregivers,” Denise R. DiDonato, MBA, CRHCP, Director of Operations and Clinical Services and Safety Officer at UH Conneaut and Geneva medical centers, stated in the news release. “There is no greater source of pride than knowing a patient would recommend UH Geneva to their family and friends. That recommendation speaks to the trust they have in the quality of care we provide and the compassion with which we deliver it.”
According to the news release, Becker’s compiled the list for each state using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). HCAHPS is a national, standardized survey taken by hospital patients about their experiences during a recent inpatient hospital stay, the news release states.
It notes that CMS created 10 HCAHPS star ratings based on publicly reported HCAHPS measures.
The patient recommendation star rating combines data from three HCAHPS survey questions and summarizes if patients would recommend the system to their friends and family, according to the news release.
It states that survey data was collected from hospital patients between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The figures were released May 13, 2026, in CMS’ Provider Data Catalog.
UH Geneva Medical Center was one of 765 hospitals nationwide that patients would highly recommend.
DiDonato said this means the patients would tell their family, friends, and co-workers that they would come to UH Geneva Medical Center. “This is tremendous,” she said, noting that it shows that the hospital is providing the most compassionate, highest-quality care that it possibly can and the patients see it.
Jane Green, a patient experience advisor, was also happy about the hospital getting the honor.
“We are thrilled because this represents the entire facility, and all we do with each and every patient at each and every touchpoint of their visitor stay,” she said.
Andrea Balogh, supervisor for rehab services overseeing a team of 10, thought the recognition was wonderful for the hospital and its employees.
“They do a really nice job delivering great care,” she said. “It’s nice to be recognized.”
