Montclair, CA, December 15, 2025 – Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality Montclair Hospital Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, was named a Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group. Announced today, the Leapfrog Top Hospital awards is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive.
The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers known as the toughest standard-setters for healthcare safety and quality. The winning facilities will be presented with their awards today as part of Leapfrog’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner.
Montclair Hospital Medical Center has also maintained a consistent Leapfrog “A” Hospital Safety Grade, most recently achieving its fifth consecutive “A” rating in Spring 2025, demonstrating sustained excellence in patient safety and quality.
“We are honored to be named a 2025 Leapfrog Top Teaching Hospital,” said Gail Aviado, Chief Executive Officer. “This recognition reflects our team’s dedicated commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence, and advancing medical education in service to our community.”
The Leapfrog Group identified the top hospitals from a pool of nearly 2,400 hospitals nationwide. Among those, Montclair Hospital Medical Center received a Top Teaching Hospital distinction. A total of 156 hospitals earned the 2025 Top Hospital Award, including:
- 15 Top Children’s Hospitals,
- 52 Top General Hospitals,
- 16 Top Rural Hospitals, and
- 73 Top Teaching Hospitals.
The rigorous standards defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology include the quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance. Among the metrics considered in establishing the qualifications for the award include infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors.
Montclair Hospital Medical Center has distinguished itself through an unwavering focus on safety and quality, earning a place on this year’s list of Top Hospitals,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This recognition reflects a culture of transparency and continuous improvement—one embraced by every member of the organization. We commend the entire team at Montclair Hospital Medical Center for reaching this outstanding milestone.”
Montclair Hospital Medical Center maintains its Leapfrog “A” Hospital Safety Grade through a comprehensive, organization-wide focus on patient safety, quality improvement, and clinical excellence. The hospital has implemented rigorous infection prevention protocols, standardized safe medical administration practices, and fall-prevention initiatives designed to reduce risk and enhance patient outcomes. In addition to its Leapfrog recognition, Montclair Hospital Medical Center has earned an “A” grade across all categories like health equity, inclusivity, as well as pay equity on the 2025-2026 Lown Institute Hospitals Index. The hospital is also nationally recognized by the American Heart Association with the Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Gold Plus 2025 aware and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll™ designation reflecting excellence and chronic disease care.
To qualify for the distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety, and achieve top performance in their category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2025 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.
About Montclair Hospital Medical Center
Montclair Hospital Medical Center, a not-for-profit member of Prime Healthcare Foundation, was originally founded by a group of community physicians in 1973. Montclair Hospital, a 106-bed acute care hospital, received the 100 Top Hospitals in the nation award from IBM Watson Health, the Patient Safety Excellence award by Healthgrades®, and the Women’s Choice Award® for America’s Best Emergency Care. Montclair Hospital Medical Center has achieved the 5th in a row Leapfrog Grade A in Safety in Spring 2025 and Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Award Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll & Target Heart Failure Optimal Honor Roll Gold Plus (2024/2025). For more information, visit Montclair-hospital.org