Keck Medicine Hospitals Achieve Top ‘A’ Safety Grades for Fall 2025

Keck Hospital of USC and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH) have both earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for Fall 2025 from The Leapfrog Group, a respected independent nonprofit organization dedicated to patient safety. This achievement marks the first time that both hospitals within the Keck Medicine of USC health system have received an “A” grade concurrently.

Rod Hanners, CEO of Keck Medicine, expressed pride in this accomplishment, noting that the hospitals are now recognized among the safest in the United States. “The Leapfrog Group grades hospitals on a set of very rigorous standards, and this grade puts our hospitals among the safest in the country,” he stated.

Hospital Details and Safety Commitment

Keck Hospital is a 343-bed acute care facility known for providing specialized medical services. In contrast, USC-VHH operates as a 140-bed community hospital, serving the cities of Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge, along with surrounding communities in Southern California. This recognition is particularly significant for Keck Hospital, as it marks the 11th time the institution has received an “A” grade since 2019.

Dr. Stephanie Hall, Chief Medical Officer of Keck Medical Center, highlighted the increasing rigor of the Leapfrog grading criteria. “It is a tremendous honor for Keck Hospital to once again receive the highest safety grade possible,” she remarked. “We are committed to staying on the forefront of safety protocols and hospital procedures to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care.”

USC-VHH has also made notable strides, achieving its second “A” grade in recent years. Dr. Armand Dorian, CEO of USC-VHH, emphasized the collective effort of the hospital’s staff. “We are proud that our hard work maximizing safety standards has resulted in another grade ‘A,’” he said, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to prioritizing patient safety.

Understanding the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

The Leapfrog Group assigns grades from “A” to “F” to general hospitals throughout the United States, evaluating them based on various measures of patient safety and performance. The grading system is peer-reviewed, transparent, and accessible to the public, with updates provided biannually in the fall and spring.

For additional information regarding Keck Hospital and USC-VHH’s safety grades, as well as hospital safety tips for patients, interested parties can visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Keck Medicine of USC has garnered numerous national quality accolades in recent years, including recognition as a top performer by Vizient, Inc. in 2025, placing Keck Hospital among the top 12 hospitals nationwide for excellence in delivering high-quality care.

Marty Sargeant, CEO of Keck Medical Center, underscored the significance of the recent Leapfrog grade. “Keck Hospital’s Leapfrog grade ‘A’ award is once again a reflection of Keck Hospital’s commitment to pursuing the highest possible standards of care,” he stated, acknowledging the dedication of the faculty and staff in achieving excellence.

For further details about Keck Medicine of USC, please visit news.KeckMedicine.org.