Fauquier Hospital Earns National “Top Hospital” Recognition—Again

For the second year in a row, Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton has earned national praise for its commitment to patient care and safety, receiving the Top General Hospital designation from The Leapfrog Group—one of the highest honors a U.S. hospital can achieve.

Fauquier Health Team with Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. Back row: Leah Binder, Roy Clowser, Brandi Burch, Val Washington, Kristopher Cox, Kelly Yoder, Dustin Curtis. Seated: Jessica Ross, Rebecca Segal, Toni Maxwell, Janelle Padgett.

The announcement was made on December 16, positioning Fauquier Health as the only hospital in Virginia to receive this designation in 2025. The award, granted by the independent nonprofit Leapfrog Group, reflects performance across more than 30 key areas of hospital quality, including infection control, maternity care, surgical safety, and medication error prevention.

“To earn this award even once is an incredible honor,” said Rebecca Segal, FACHE, CEO of Fauquier Health. “But to achieve this recognition a second year in a row speaks to the amazing team at Fauquier Health and is a fitting tribute to the hard work our nurses, physicians, and staff do every day. Quality is at the heart of everything we do.”

More than 2,400 hospitals were evaluated for this year’s Top Hospital honors, with only a small percentage meeting the rigorous standards required to receive the award. Fauquier Health’s recognition as a Top General Hospital demonstrates outstanding performance across a wide range of categories that directly impact patient outcomes.

“Fauquier Health has distinguished itself through an unwavering focus on safety and quality,” 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.”

Leapfrog’s Top Hospital award is based on results from its annual Leapfrog Hospital Survey, a national tool used to assess hospitals on safety and quality benchmarks. To qualify, hospitals must rank among the best in their category—whether general, teaching, rural, or children’s hospitals—and demonstrate top performance in patient safety practices and clinical outcomes.

A Local Hospital with National Impact

For residents of Fauquier County and the surrounding region, this recognition is more than a headline—it’s a reassurance that high-quality healthcare is available close to home. Fauquier Health, a 97-bed acute care facility, is known not only for national awards but also for programs that address the needs of the local community.

In addition to the Leapfrog distinction, the hospital has been recognized as a Certified Primary Stroke Center, a Center of Excellence for Joint Replacement, and an Accredited Chest Pain Center. It also operates The Villa at Suffield Meadows, an assisted living facility, and numerous physician practices across specialties such as primary care, gastroenterology, OB/GYN, and surgery.

“We have the honor and privilege of caring for our neighbors, friends, and families,” said Segal. “That responsibility drives every decision we make.”

What Makes a “Top Hospital”?

Leapfrog’s criteria are some of the most detailed and rigorous in the country. The survey examines how hospitals prevent infections, ensure safe surgical practices, use medications safely, and support maternity patients, among other areas.

Launched in 2000, The Leapfrog Group is widely respected for its independent approach to evaluating hospital safety. In 2012, it introduced the Hospital Safety Grade, assigning letter grades to hospitals

based on their ability to protect patients from harm. The Safety Grade is updated twice a year and is publicly available.

To explore this year’s list of Top Hospitals or check how your local hospital scores in patient safety, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals or www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.

As hospitals across the country continue to face challenges in healthcare delivery, Fauquier Health’s repeated recognition underscores what’s possible when a facility prioritizes safety, transparency, and community-centered care.