Southwestern Medical Center Named to Becker’s 2024 Listing of Great Community Hospitals

Southwestern Medical Center (Southwestern) was one of 100 hospitals included in the 2024 Becker’s Hospital Review (Becker’s) listing of “Great Community Hospitals” released on Wednesday, May 22. Southwestern was the only hospital from the state of Oklahoma to make the list. This is the second year in a row that Southwestern was included.

Hospitals recognized in the listing, per Becker’s website, are lauded for “bringing clinical and academic excellence, personalized and holistic care, and overall improved health to their communities.” The publication’s editorial team selected hospitals for inclusion based on several outside rankings and ratings organizations, including U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, CMS, The Leapfrog Group, the National Rural Health Association, and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

“We are thrilled, once again, to be recognized by Becker’s as a great community hospital and to be the only hospital in the state to receive this honor,” said Adam Bracks, CEO of Southwestern. “We strive to provide the most positive patient outcomes and experiences while advancing the health and well-being of the Lawton and Fort Sill communities we serve. We know we are on the right track from our quality ratings, accreditations, and ongoing efforts to tailor our services to local needs. But we always welcome validation from an independent organization like Becker’s.”

Becker’s described community hospitals as a “crucial piece of the overall healthcare system in the U.S.” that provide convenient, affordable care to patients located outside of metropolitan areas. Southwestern has a legacy of bringing essential services and quality care to Lawton/Fort Sill and southwestern Oklahoma. For instance:

• Southwestern was the first hospital in Lawton to be awarded “Accreditation with Commendation” – the highest level of accreditation awarded by The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest accrediting body.
• The Southwestern Rehabilitation Center was the first rehabilitation facility in the area to receive a three-year accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and the center has now received nine consecutive CARF accreditations.
• In addition to its primary hospital campus, the 92-bed Southwestern Behavioral Health Center fills a vital community and regional need with compassionate inpatient services for children, adolescents, and adults.
• Southwestern Medical Center also has a Sleep Disorders Center.
• And, the hospital holds accreditations or certifications as a Primary Stroke Center, a Chest Pain Center, and an Ambulatory Health Care provider, as well as for Laboratory Services.

The hospital’s exceptional services have recently earned honors from several influential healthcare assessment platforms. In April, Southwestern received an “A” grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group. In March, it received Healthgrades’ 2024 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, an honor attained by only 15% of the approximately 4,500 eligible hospitals across the country. In October 2023, Southwestern was included in Newsweek’s listing of “America’s Best-In-State Hospitals 2024.” And in 2022, Southwestern made Newsweek’s U.S. list of the World’s Best Hospitals.

The Becker’s listing touts hospitals that contribute to the “overall improved health of their communities.” Southwestern’s impact on Lawton/Fort Sill, as detailed in the hospital’s 2023 Community Benefit Report, is significant. It contributes millions in payroll, taxes, and charitable care that positively impact the broader community.

“We embrace our partnership with Lawton/Fort Sill and consider it our privilege to serve the friends, families, and neighbors who come through our doors seeking hope and healing,” said Bracks. “The recognitions we receive speak to the strength of our team and the strength of our partnership with the communities we serve.”