Newark , NJ – MAY 6, 2026 – Saint Michael’s Medical Center was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the fifth consecutive grading round by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety.
Saint Michael’s earned the designation as a “Straight A” hospital, defined as hospitals that have an A for Spring 2026 and have sustained that grade for the last five or more grading rounds. This select group represents 15% of all eligible hospitals.
“Five straight ‘A’ grades reflect a culture where patient safety comes first, always,” said Saint Michael’s CEO Alan Sickles, MD. “Our team is relentless about delivering safe, high-quality care, and we’re proud to see that commitment recognized by The Leapfrog Group.”
The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. Saint Michael’s is the only hospital in Newark to receive an A and one of only two hospitals in Essex County to receive the top grade.
“Saint Michael’s deserves recognition for its unwavering focus on protecting patients and delivering safe care, earning an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for five consecutive cycles,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Sustaining this level of excellence over time shows a true, organization-wide commitment to making patient safety a top priority every single day.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, injuries and infections that can lead to harm or even death. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
The Leapfrog patient safety grade is just the latest accolade for Saint Michael’s. Saint Michael’s recently achieved numerous distinctions for exceptional clinical performance from Healthgrades, including the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award, which places the hospital among the top 10% nationwide for coronary intervention for the fifth year in a row.
Saint Michael’s, a member of Prime Healthcare, is also five-star rated by Healthgrades for five services, including coronary interventional procedures (5 years in a row), treatment of heart failure (2 years in a row), gallbladder removal surgery (3 years in a row) and for the first time, pacemaker procedures and treatment of pneumonia.
Saint Michael’s is also the only hospital in Essex County to receive four stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees the Medicare program.
To see Saint Michael’s full grade details and to find essential patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and stay updated through The Leapfrog Group newsletter.
