Nursing Excellence

Recognition for Nurses, Nursing Teams and Hospitals

Recognition for Our Nursing Teams

McHenry Hospital has achieved ANCC Magnet Recognition® , which means our nurses uphold the highest standard of care for patients and work in an environment that inspires nurses to collaborate to make health care better.

The ANCC also recognizes Woodstock Hospital with Pathway to Excellence® status, which means the hospital is investing in the nursing workforce to create a culture of excellence and high job satisfaction.

Recognition for Our Nurses

Nurses at McHenry Hospital and Woodstock Hospital share knowledge and expertise across the country. We share our nursing excellence through presentations and involvement in professional organizations.

McHenry Hospital and Woodstock Hospital proudly participate in the DAISY Recognition Program®.

Read about the DAISY Award Honorees.

We offer other growth opportunities for nurses, including:

  • Lead, Excel and Develop (LEAD) Clinical Nurse Professional Development Program
  • Northwestern Medicine Academy Programs
  • Shared leadership
  • Robust education reimbursement and professional development funds
  • Financial support and education resources for nursing certifications

Sharing opportunities:

  • Northwestern Medicine Improvement Day sponsored by the Performance Improvement Office
  • Northwestern Medicine Nursing research symposiums
  • National and international conferences poster and podium presentations
  • Publications

Recognition for McHenry Hospital and Woodstock Hospital

U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals

McHenry Hospital and Woodstock Hospital together are ranked No. 10 in the Chicago metro area and in Illinois according to U.S. News & World Report (2025 – 2026).

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Star Ratings (CMS)

McHenry Hospital, Huntley Hospital and Woodstock Hospital together have achieved a 5-star rating from CMS every year since 2017. To achieve this, we demonstrated excellence in areas including patient experience, safety of care, and timely and effective care.

Vizient Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Award

McHenry Hospital is ranked No. 8 among 208 participating complex care medical centers in the U.S. This recognizes our performance in categories including safety, effectiveness, patient centeredness and equity.