Pioneering a Response to COVID-19 that Achieved a Lower Mortality Rate than the National Average

The rapid onset of COVID-19 forced hospitals to respond to a health crisis while facing many unknowns about the disease. Attempting to create a standardized, evidence-based approach to care for patients ill with a recently identified infectious disease with no known effective drug therapy posed a tremendous hurdle for providers. The challenge was exacerbated by the urgent need for system guidance in the face of a rapidly expanding pandemic.

Early on, it was evident that Memorial Hermann’s success would require multidisciplinary collaboration.  As a result of multiple teams’ work efforts, Memorial Hermann’s mortality rate remained below the national average from March 2020 to April 2021.

Additionally, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital was named to an exclusive Healthgrades list of “Leading Hospitals in Early COVID Care” for providing “best-in-class COVID-19 care” to both their patients and their communities during the first wave of the pandemic.

Memorial Hermann Inpatient Mortality Rate vs National Inpatient Mortality Rate

(March 2020 to April 2021)

Value Outcomes Reporting - Mortality Rates 

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Scores

Three Memorial Hermann hospitals scored high marks for safety, earning an "A" grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent, national nonprofit organization run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.

As of Fall 2023, Memorial Hermann hospitals that received an "A" grade are:

  • Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital

Quality Leadership Award

Memorial Hermann-TMC received the 2022 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking by Vizient, Inc. and ranked ninth out of 107 Vizient members for Comprehensive Academic Medical Centers. The hospital was recognized for demonstrating excellence in delivering high-quality care based on the Vizient's Quality and Accountability Study, which has been conducted annually since 2005.

Recognized for Nursing Excellence

The Magnet Recognition Program from the American Nurses Credentialing Center recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. 

Magnet Designated Hospitals:

  • Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Southeast & Pearland Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital

Hospitals with Pathway to Excellence Designation:

  • Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital
  • TIRR Memorial Hermann

For more information about Memorial Hermann’s numerous nursing excellence recognitions, click here.

US News & World Report Best Hospitals Ranking

Beginning in 1990, U.S. News & World Report has ranked our nation's leading hospitals annually. And in every one of those years, TIRR Memorial Hermann has been named among the very best rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. TIRR Memorial Hermann ranks best in Texas and No. 2 in the nation for rehabilitation in the 2022-2023 report.

In addition to TIRR Memorial Hermann, several other Memorial Hermann Hospitals and Service Lines ranked in the 2022-2023 report:

  • Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (TMC) ranked as the No. 3 hospital in the Houston metro area and the No. 5 hospital in Texas.
  • Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital ranked as the No. 4 hospital in the Houston metro area and the No. 7 hospital in Texas.
  • Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center ranked as the No. 5 hospital in the Houston metro area and the No. 9 hospital in Texas.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At Memorial Hermann Health System, we are dedicated to celebrating our unique differences by fostering a culture grounded in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). In order to achieve our vision to create healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we are committed to increasing access to our high-quality health care services for all members of our community, empowering every employee with the skills and support needed to advance their career and cultivating a respectful, inclusive environment.

To advance our vision of creating healthier communities, we first must recognize that the health of our community cannot change by focusing on health care alone. There are social and economic factors that can pose barriers to health. That’s why we are expanding our focus beyond hospital and clinic walls to address the social determinants of health by aligning our efforts around four key pillars:

  • Access to Care
  • Emotional Well-being
  • Food as Health
  • Exercise is Medicine

Compassion is at the heart of everything we do at Memorial Hermann and is key to delivering on our brand promise of service excellence as we continue our role as a dedicated community partner focused on improving the health and well-being of all Houstonians.

Learn more » 

Value Outcomes Reporting