May. 07, 2026
All nine of Covenant Health’s acute-care hospitals earned an “A” hospital safety grade from The Leapfrog Group for spring 2026.
The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit watchdog organization known for setting rigorous standards for patient safety, quality care and hospital performance. The organization assigns grades based on more than 30 safety measures, including intensive care physician staffing levels, hygiene and patient outcomes.
“Earning recognition for our rigorous safety practices and consistent, high-quality care means so much more than just a grade,” said Jim VanderSteeg, president and chief executive officer of Covenant Health. “This achievement is a testament to our commitment to provide exceptional patient care that individuals and families can trust. I’m proud that all nine of our hospitals meet this high standard, thanks to dedicated employees who continue to put patients first.”
The Covenant Health acute-care hospitals earning the ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade include:
- Claiborne Medical Center, Tazewell
- Covenant Health LeConte, Sevierville
- Covenant Health Roane, Harriman
- Cumberland Medical Center, Crossville
- Fort Loudoun Medical Center, Lenoir City
- Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville
- Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge
- Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System, Morristown
- Parkwest Medical Center, Knoxville
“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that a hospital is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and chief executive officer of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”
To look up a hospital and see details about the safety grades, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
“Seeing all our hospitals earn another ‘A’ safety grade is incredibly meaningful,” said Debbi Honey, RN, CPHQ, CENP, FAONL, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Covenant Health. “Our nurses, physicians and staff show extraordinary commitment to excellence every single day. They care for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and they do it with skill and compassion. This recognition reflects the strength of their work and the pride they take in keeping people safe. I couldn’t be prouder of this team.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. It is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the spring and fall.
About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 14,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
