Memorial Health System Achieves an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group
New grade for spring 2025 is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety
GULFPORT, Miss. – May 1, 2025 – Memorial Health System is proud to announce that it has earned an “A” rating from The Leapfrog Group for the Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades, a national distinction recognizing the system’s commitment to patient safety and the reduction of preventable harm. This is the first time Memorial has achieved this rating, marking Memorial’s ongoing dedication to improving safety standards and delivering high-quality care for patients on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, updated each spring and fall, is the only hospital ratings program in the U.S. focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, infections, and injuries—harms that claim more than 500 lives each day.
Nearly 3,000 hospitals nationwide are evaluated using up to 30 performance measures derived from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, and other sources. These measures are divided into two equally weighted categories: Process/Structural Measures, which assess care environments and adherence to best practices, and Outcome Measures, which evaluate patient results and safety outcomes. The program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public, offering a comprehensive view of a hospital’s commitment to safety.
“We are proud to have achieved an ‘A’ rating—the highest possible—because it reflects the dedication of our entire team to patient safety and excellence,” said Memorial Health System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shawn Dufford. “This recognition is only possible because of our strong culture of continuous improvement and our team’s daily commitment to preventing medical errors and delivering the highest standards of care to every patient, every time.”
“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to Memorial Health System, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”
The “A” rating underscores Memorial Health System’s focus on continuous improvement and dedication to patient-centered care. Memorial remains committed to building upon this achievement, advancing initiatives that support patient safety, and ensuring the well-being of every individual entrusted to its care.
To explore Memorial’s full-grade details and to find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
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ABOUT MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM
Memorial Health System has been serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1946. Located in Gulfport, Mississippi, Memorial is a not-for-profit public community hospital organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and is jointly owned by the City of Gulfport and Harrison County. Memorial Health System includes three hospitals (Gulfport, Biloxi, and Stone County) licensed for 481 beds, a state-designated Level II Trauma Center, two nursing centers, outpatient surgery centers, satellite outpatient diagnostic and rehabilitation centers, and more than 100 Memorial Physician Clinics. Memorial offers several of the region’s most comprehensive clinical programs and medical specialties unique to the area, including a Level III Neonatal ICU and Mississippi’s first nationally certified Primary Stroke Center. Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission, a Baby-Friendly Designated hospital, and is a member of the Mississippi Healthcare Collaborative. Visit wearememorial.com to learn more.
ABOUT THE LEAPFROG GROUP
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit 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.