Prime Healthcare Invests $104 Million in First Year in Illinois, Strengthening Hospitals, Advancing Quality, Saving 13,000 Jobs, and Expanding Access to Care

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ONTARIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 30, 2026--

One year after entering the Illinois market, Prime Healthcare and the Prime Healthcare Foundation have invested more than $104 million to enhance clinical care and operations, modernize infrastructure, and expand service lines, while preserving more than 13,000 hospital and healthcare jobs and creating more than 1,000 new roles across eight hospitals.

With dedication to quality and health equity, Prime’s Illinois hospitals have earned national and state recognition, including honors from U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, Forbes, and the ranked #1 in Illinois for Health Equity by the Lown Institute.

This milestone marks the one-year anniversary of Prime Healthcare’s acquisition of eight Illinois hospitals and reflects a year defined by investment, clinical advancement, and a clear commitment to strengthening hospitals that communities depend on.

“Our hospitals are essential to the health of the communities they serve,” said Sunny Bhatia, MD, President and Chief Medical Officer of Prime Healthcare. “Over the past year, we’ve invested in hospitals communities depend on, expanding services and improving access to care where it’s needed most. At a time when access is declining, we believe hospitals are worth saving and that every patient deserves high-quality, compassionate care.”

Prime’s first-year investments include modernization of clinical technology, cybersecurity enhancements, telemedicine capabilities, and facility upgrades to support long-term clinical excellence. Key advancements include new C-arm and neurosurgical mapping technology, a new Infusion Center, advanced technology platforms and implementation of best in class, integrated Epic medical record system.

Prime has also prioritized expanding mental health services including emergency psychiatric care, reflecting a systemwide commitment to addressing the growing needs of a national mental health crisis and an aging population.

Additionally, all eligible Prime hospitals in Illinois have achieved Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA). These designations ensure that clinical teams are specially trained to provide high-quality, coordinated emergency care for older adults. With this distinction, Prime now has the most GEDA-certified emergency departments in Illinois. This is an increasingly urgent priority as communities across the country face rising demand for geriatric services. With this distinction, Prime now has the most GEDA-certified emergency departments in Illinois.

Prime Healthcare’s physician-founded, physician-led model emphasizes clinical excellence, health equity, and social responsibility. Over the past year, Illinois hospitals have earned national recognition for patient safety, workforce excellence, and clinical outcomes from organizations including U.S. News & World Report, the Lown Institute Hospital Index, Healthgrades, Forbes, and The Leapfrog Group.

Since assuming operations, Prime has saved more than 13,000 healthcare jobs and created more than 1,000 new roles across Illinois, while continuing to invest in recruitment, clinical excellence, and service expansion. Hospitals continue to serve as trusted healthcare providers and essential resources for the communities they serve. Newsweek named Prime Healthcare one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for 2025, reinforcing its commitment to empowering its workforce and ensuring that caregivers thrive while delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

“Our commitment extends beyond the hospital walls,” said Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President and Chair of Prime Healthcare Foundation. “It is about the families, clinicians and communities who rely on these hospitals every day- renewing hope and ensuring care is there when it is needed most. The progress made over the past year reflects a deep commitment to quality, equity, and the unwavering dedication of our staff, physicians and care teams. It shows what is possible when mission, dedication and investment come together to carry forward each hospital’s legacy, strengthen its future and bring renewed hope to the communities we serve.”

As Prime enters its second year in Illinois, the focus remains on expanding services that meet evolving community needs, sustaining investment in clinical excellence, and continuing to strengthen hospitals as essential community resources.

Alongside these systemwide achievements, Prime’s individual Illinois hospitals have also earned significant national and state recognition over the past year, including:

Holy Family Medical Center – Des Plaines:

• Achieved Silver-Level Honor Roll for Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship by the Illinois Department of Public Health

Mercy Medical Center – Aurora:

• Named to the Gold Level Honor Roll for Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship by the Illinois Department of Public Health
• Earned “A” grades on the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, Clinical Outcomes, Health Equity, Community Benefits, Inclusivity, Pay Equity, and Cost Efficiency.
• Recognized by Healthgrades for clinical excellence and quality care

Resurrection Medical Center – Chicago:

• Named to Forbes Top Hospitals list
• Recognized with a High Performing distinction by U.S. News & World Report
• Recognized by Healthgrades for clinical excellence and quality care
• Earned “A” grades on the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, Inclusivity, Value of Care, Clinical Outcomes, Patient Outcomes, Pay Equity, and Cost Efficiency

Saint Francis Hospital – Evanston:

• Ranked No. 1 in Illinois and the nation for Pay Equity by the Lown Institute Hospitals Index as well as earning “A” grades for Social Responsibility, Patient Safety, Health Equity, Community Benefit, Inclusivity, Pay Equity and Top 5 in Illinois for Health Equity and Patient Safety.
• Named to Becker’s Healthcare “100 Great Community Hospitals” list
• Achieved ANCC Magnet Recognition Program with Distinction

Saint Joseph Hospital – Elgin:

• Achieved high-performing distinctions in U.S. News & World Report
• Earned “A” grades on the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, Health Equity and Inclusivity

Saint Joseph Medical Center – Joliet:

• Named High Performing by U.S. News & World Report
• Earned “A” grades on the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Pay Equity, Health Equity, and Inclusivity
• Recognized by Healthgrades for clinical excellence and quality care

Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital – Chicago:

• Ranked No. 1 in Illinois for Health Equity and Top 5 in Illinois for Social Responsibility by the Lown Institute Hospital Index as well as earning “A” grades for Social Responsibility, Patient and Clinical Outcomes, Patient Safety, Community Benefits, Inclusivity, Pay Equity and Racial Inclusivity
• Named High Performing by U.S. News & World Report
• Recognized by Healthgrades for clinical excellence and quality care

St. Mary’s Hospital – Kankakee:

• Named in the top 10 in Illinois by Forbes Top Hospitals list
• Earned four consecutive “A” grades for patient safety by the Leapfrog Group
• Earned “A” grades on the Lown Institute Hospitals Index, including for Pay Equity, Patient Safety, Inclusivity and Health Equity
• Recognized by Healthgrades for clinical excellence and quality care

About Prime Healthcare and Prime Healthcare Foundation:

Prime Healthcare is an award-winning health system operating 54 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations in 15 states, providing over 3 million patient visits annually. It is one of the nation’s leading health systems, with more than 60,000 employees and physicians. Twenty-one (21) of the Prime Healthcare hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. Based in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a 10 Top and 15 Top Health System by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals have been named among the nation’s “100 Top Hospitals” 72 times and is one of Healthgrades’ most awarded health systems in the nation for patient safety. To learn more, please visit primehealthcare.com.

Find Prime Healthcare on:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/prime-healthcare
Twitter: twitter.com/_PrimeHealth
Facebook: facebook.com/primehealthcare
Instagram: instagram.com/prime_healthcare/

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KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA ILLINOIS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NURSING SURGERY FINANCE HOSPITALS HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PRACTICE MANAGEMENT HEALTH GENERAL HEALTH

SOURCE: Prime Healthcare

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PUB: 03/30/2026 04:06 PM/DISC: 03/30/2026 04:06 PM

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