Mt. Vernon Hospital Named Top in Nation by Forbes

When Forbes set out to rank the best hospitals in America for the first time, a small-town Illinois facility made the cut alongside the nation's healthcare giants.

SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon has been recognized on the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list. The honor places this southern Illinois facility among the country's elite healthcare institutions.

Forbes partnered with Inovalon, a leading healthcare analytics company, to create rankings based on hard data. The evaluation measured patient care excellence, clinical outcomes, value, and patient experience across thousands of hospitals nationwide.

Good Samaritan is one of just 10 SSM Health hospitals to make the list. The achievement reflects years of dedication from doctors, nurses, and staff who serve rural communities often overlooked in healthcare discussions.

"Being included on this list is an extraordinary honor and a true reflection of the commitment our team demonstrates every day," said Damon Harbison, president of SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital. He oversees multiple facilities serving southern Illinois communities.

The Ripple Effect

This recognition means more than bragging rights for one hospital. Forbes created this list specifically to help everyday Americans navigate an increasingly confusing healthcare system and find the best care close to home.

For residents of Mt. Vernon and surrounding southern Illinois towns, the ranking validates what many already knew. World-class care doesn't require traveling to big cities or famous medical centers.

The evaluation used rigorous, data-driven methods developed with input from medicine experts, health policy specialists, and patient advocates. That means the rankings reflect real outcomes, not just reputation or marketing budgets.

When rural hospitals excel at this level, they lift entire regions by attracting healthcare talent, keeping medical dollars local, and giving families confidence they can receive top-tier treatment without leaving their communities.

Small-town healthcare just proved it can compete with anyone.