Recognized for Our Commitment to High-Quality Care
Healthgrades® America's 250 Best Hospital AwardTM
Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center is among the top 5% in the nation for overall clinical excellence in 2022 and 2023.
2024 U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital
U.S. News & World Report recognized Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center as a 2024 High Performing Hospital for treating heart attack, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Baby-Friendly Hospital
St. Joseph Medical Center is designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital through 2028 by Baby-Friendly USA, as part of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The global program recognizes hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding.
Breidegam Family Birthing Center
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care | St. Joseph Medical Center has received the U.S. News & World Report's highest possible rating, “High Performing,” in 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The High Performing rating indicates results that are well above average on a range of objective quality measures, such as rates of unexpected complications, C-sections, and exclusive breast milk feeding. |
| Capital Blue Cross Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care | Capital Blue Cross recognized St. Joseph Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care in 2023. The designation signifies the hospital demonstrates expertise and a commitment to quality care for deliveries, better overall patient satisfaction and a lower percentage of early elective deliveries. (2023) |
| Baby-Friendly USA’s Baby-Friendly Hospital | St. Joseph Medical Center is designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital through 2028 by Baby-Friendly USA, as part of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The global program recognizes hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding. (2023-2028) |
| Centering Healthcare Institute’s Approved Centering Site | Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) approved sites have successfully gone through CHI’s Site Approval process. Penn State Health St. Joseph centering program exhibits all the essential elements that define the Centering model of care. We also have solid plans for model sustainability that positively impacts healthy birth outcomes. |
| International Board -Certified Lactation Consultant | An IBCLC is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. Our IBCLC is certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and independently accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). An IBCLC works in various settings, providing leadership, advocacy, professional development and research in the lactation field. |
| Healthgrades® Five - Star Recipient for Cesarean Section Delivery | Reflects better clinical outcomes at St. Joseph Medical Center than lower-rated health care facilities. (2021, 2022) |
Cancer Center
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| Commission of Cancer | The Commission on Cancer (CoC), a program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), recognizes cancer care programs for their commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality, and multidisciplinary patient-centered care. The CoC is dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. In 2018, St. Joseph Medical Center’s Cancer Center achieved Full Accreditation status from the Commission on Cancer®. |
| American College of Radiology: Radiation Oncology | The Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation Program provides third-party, impartial peer review and evaluation of patient care, staff, equipment, treatment planning and records, patient safety and quality control activities. |
| Quality Oncology Practice Initiative | Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) is an oncologist-led, practice-based quality assessment program designed to promote excellence in cancer care by helping practices create a culture of self-examination and improvement. St. Joseph Cancer Center earned QOPI recertification in August 2022. |
| Prevent Cancer Foundation® | This grant will reduce cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic barriers and improve access to breast health for Latinas in Reading, Pennsylvania, through targeted outreach, education and patient navigation. The program will use a promotora (community health worker) approach. The group aims to provide one-on-one and group education for 500 Latinas, as well as screening mammograms for 100 of these women. |
Critical Care
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023 U.S. New & World Report High Performing Hospital | U.S. News & World Report recognized Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center as a 2023 High Performing Hospital for treating pneumonia. |
| Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Sepsis | Reflects St. Joseph Medical Center’s dedication to delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes for treatment of sepsis and distinguishes us as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for sepsis. (2021, 2022, 2023) |
| Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Respiratory Failure | Reflects St. Joseph Medical Center’s dedication to delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes for treatment of respiratory failure and distinguishes us as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for respiratory failure. (2023) |
Diabetes Management
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| American Diabetes Association | Our Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Training. |
| American Heart Association 2024 Get with the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll | St. Joseph qualified for recognition on the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, making St. Joseph part of a group of hospitals recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for ensuring patients with type 2 diabetes receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized with stroke. |
Emergency Department
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023 U.S. New & World Report High Performing Hospital | U.S. News & World Report recognized Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center as a 2023 High Performing Hospital for treating heart attack, heart failure and stroke. |
| Joint Commission Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification | The Joint Commission’s Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Achievement of certification signifies that the services they provide have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes. Penn State Health St. Joseph has received this certification since 2012. |
| American Heart Association 2024 Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll | Get With The Guidelines® puts the unparalleled expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping hospital care teams ensure the care provided to patients is aligned with the latest research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Developed to save lives and help patients recover more quickly, Get With The Guidelines programs have impacted more than 6 million patients since 2001. Hospitals receiving Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Achievement Award have reached an aggressive goal of treating (heart failure or stroke) patients with 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels of care outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for 24 consecutive months. In addition, those hospitals have demonstrated 75 percent compliance to (four out of nine heart failure quality measures or seven out of ten stroke quality measures) during the 12-month period. In 2020, St. Joseph qualified for recognition on the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, making St. Joseph part of a group of hospitals recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for ensuring patients with type 2 diabetes receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized with stroke. |
| Healthgrades® America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke CareTM | Recognizes St. Joseph Medical Center among the top 100 hospitals in the U.S. delivering superior patient outcomes in the care and treatment of stroke. (2023) |
| Healthgrades® Top 5 in Pennsylvania for Stroke Care | Ranks St. Joseph Medical Center as No. 5 in Pennsylvania for delivering superior patient outcomes in the care and treatment of stroke. |
| Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Stroke | Reflects St. Joseph Medical Center’s delivery of better-than-expected clinical outcomes for treatment of stroke and distinguishes us as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for stroke care. (2022, 2023) |
| Healthgrades® Stroke Care Excellence AwardTM Healthgrades® Top 5% in the Nation for Treatment of Stroke Healthgrades® Top 10% in the Nation for Treatment of Stroke | Recognizes St. Joseph Medical Center for delivering superior patient outcomes in the care and treatment of stroke. (2022, 2023) |
Heart Center
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| Joint Commission Advanced Certification in Advanced Heart Failure | The Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification in Heart Failure recognizes centers that provide the highest quality of care for heart failure patients. Penn State Health St. Joseph received this certification in 2016. |
| American College of Cardiology’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award | The American College of Cardiology’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain – Myocardial Infarction (MI) Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award recognizes hospitals that have demonstrated sustained, top-level performance in quality of care for heart attack patients. Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center earned this honor in 2024—given by the American College of Cardiology. |
| American Heart Association 2024 Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award | Get With The Guidelines® puts the unparalleled expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping hospital care teams ensure the care provided to patients is aligned with the latest research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Developed to save lives and help patients recover more quickly, Get With The Guidelines programs have impacted more than six million patients since 2001. Hospitals receiving Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Achievement Award have reached an aggressive goal of treating (heart failure or stroke) patients with 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels of care outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for 24 consecutive months. In addition, those hospitals have demonstrated 75 percent compliance to (four out of nine heart failure quality measures or seven out of ten stroke quality measures) during the 12-month period. |
| American Heart Association and Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care’s Mission: Lifeline Accreditation as a STEMI Receiving Center Accreditation | The timing for treating someone having a heart attack can mean the difference between life and death. To help save lives, the American Heart Association and the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care joined forces to create the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Heart Attack Referring/Receiving Center Accreditation Program. The program recognizes hospitals that quickly and appropriately treat heart attack patients. The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Heart Attack Referral/Receiving Accreditation Program recognizes centers that have demonstrated expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting stringent criteria. |
| Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Silver Plus Award | The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Center Silver Plus award recognizes St. Joseph Medical Center's commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks. Hospitals that earn the award must demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for STEMI care as outlined by the American Heart Association. |
| American Heart Association 2024 Get With The Guidelines Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes | Hospitals receiving this award receive recognition for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks. The STEMI Receiving Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for STEMI care as outlined by the American Heart Association. |
| Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Reaccreditation | The Penn State Health Non-Invasive Lab earned reaccreditation for three years in Vascular Testing in the areas of External Cerebrovascular Testing, Peripheral Venous Testing and Peripheral Arterial Testing by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). The IAC accreditation certifies that St. Joseph’s Vascular Diagnostic Service has undergone an intensive application and review process and follows the published Standards, demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care in vascular testing. The IAC includes a detailed self-evaluation followed by a thorough review by a panel of medical experts. This ensures that the accreditation process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the applicant facility to be assessed and includes representative case studies and their corresponding final reports. |
| Intersocietal Accreditation Commission: Echocardiography | Intersocietal Accreditation Commission accreditation verifies that St. Joseph Medical Center and Penn State Health Imaging Services at Spring Ridge Outpatient Center underwent a rigorous evaluation to show compliance with industry standards and commitment to continuous quality improvement. |
| Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Attack | Reflects St. Joseph Medical Center’s dedication to delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes for treatment of heart attack and distinguishes us as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for cardiac care. (2023) |
Imaging
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| American College of Radiology Accreditation | Following extensive review by the American College of Radiology, St. Joseph Medical Center has earned the following accreditations:
|
| American College of Radiology: Lung Cancer Screening Center | Our facility meets the criteria for a designated Lung Cancer Screening Center. |
| American College of Radiology: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | The MRI Accreditation Program evaluates staff qualifications, quality control, MR safety policies and image quality. Accreditation is required for providers that bill for MRI under part B of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. |
| American College of Radiology: Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | The Breast MRI Accreditation Program provides facilities with peer review and constructive feedback on staff qualifications, equipment, quality control, quality assurance, MR safety policies and image quality. |
| American College of Radiology: Breast Imaging Center of Excellence | The Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that achieve excellence by seeking and earning accreditation in all of the ACR’s voluntary breast-imaging accreditation programs and modules, in addition to the mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program. |
| Intersocietal Accreditation Commission: 25-Year Silver Accreditation Milestone for Excellence in Vascular Testing 2024 | St. Joseph Medical Center earned Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Silver Milestone recognition for achieving and maintaining vascular testing accreditation for at least 25 years. Reflects the medical center’s continued commitment to improving patient outcomes and safety. |
Laboratory
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation | The College of American Pathologists (CAP’s) Laboratory Accreditation Program accredits the entire spectrum of laboratory test disciplines with the most scientifically rigorous customized checklist requirements. The CAP’s peer-based inspector model provides a unique balance of regulatory and educational coaching supported by the most respected worldwide pathology organization. |
Pulmonary
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| Healthgrades® Pulmonary Care Excellence AwardTM | Recognizes St. Joseph Medical Center for delivering superior patient outcomes in the care and treatment of pulmonary issues. (2022, 2023) |
| Healthgrades® Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Pulmonary Services | Recognizes St. Joseph Medical Center for delivering superior patient outcomes in the care and treatment of pulmonary issues and pulmonary services. (2022, 2023) |
| Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Reflects St. Joseph Medical Center’s dedication to delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and distinguishes us as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (2022, 2023) |
| Healthgrades® Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Pneumonia | Reflects St. Joseph Medical Center’s dedication to delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes for treatment of pneumonia and distinguishes us as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for pneumonia. (2021, 2022, 2023) |