Published on Mar. 20, 2026
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s top hospitals on Forbes’ first‑ever Top Hospitals List and Rankings for 2026, placing Saddleback among an elite group of high‑performing health care organizations recognized for outstanding clinical quality, patient experience, and value.
Saddleback was among just 60 hospitals statewide to receive recognition and one of the few hospitals in Southern California to earn four stars, solidifying its reputation as a trusted regional leader in high‑quality, patient‑centered care.
“Being recognized on Forbes’ first‑ever Top Hospitals List is a meaningful honor for our entire organization. This achievement reflects the continued dedication of our physicians, nurses, and care teams, who work every day to deliver exceptional outcomes and compassionate care for the communities we serve. We are committed to maintaining this standard of excellence as we invest in innovation, patient safety, and advanced clinical capabilities.”
- Shela Kaneshiro, RN, chief executive officer, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
For this inaugural list, Forbes evaluated nearly 5,400 general acute care hospitals across the United States using data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Provider Data Catalog. Hospitals were assessed on 56 quality measures, grouped into four weighted categories: outcomes (55%), best practices (20%), value (15%), and patient experience (10%). The rigorous methodology was developed with guidance from an advisory panel of clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates, in partnership with health‑care analytics firm Inovalon.
Out of 4,601 eligible hospitals, Forbes awarded only 253 hospitals a five‑star rating and 509 hospitals—including MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center—a four‑star rating, placing Saddleback in the top 10–29% of hospitals nationwide based on the scoring distribution.
Forbes’ analysis highlighted the wide variation in performance among U.S. hospitals—particularly in mortality, complication rates, and experience scores—reinforcing the importance of choosing a hospital with a proven record of strong outcomes. Saddleback Medical Center’s four‑star rating places it within the upper echelon of hospitals, demonstrating strength across key service areas and consistent performance in quality measures that matter most to patients and families.
According to Forbes, the rating system also incorporates adjustments for social drivers of health, including socioeconomic status and access to medical services, ensuring a more equitable comparison across hospitals nationwide. The inclusion of these factors further underscores Saddleback Medical Center’s ability to deliver high‑quality care and positive outcomes across a diverse patient population.
As a longstanding health‑care leader in Orange County, Saddleback Medical Center continues to advance its clinical programs, expand access to specialized services, and invest in technologies that enhance patient safety, recovery, and experience.
In addition to recognition on Forbes’ inaugural Top Hospitals List, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center continues to earn national and regional distinctions for exceptional quality and patient care. Recent accolades include being named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals and receiving multiple Healthgrades Excellence Awards in gastrointestinal care and surgery, orthopedic care, stroke care, surgical care, and critical care. The medical center has also earned 13 five‑star rankings for outcomes across heart failure, hip fracture, spinal fusion, sepsis, pulmonary care, colorectal surgery, gallbladder removal, GI bleed, bowel obstruction, respiratory failure, and diabetic emergencies.
Saddleback additionally holds numerous U.S. News & World Report “High Performing” ratings in maternity care, heart attack, heart failure, knee replacement, hip fracture, spinal fusion, pneumonia, and stroke and has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Orange County for seven consecutive years. Together, these achievements reflect Saddleback Medical Center’s unwavering commitment to delivering high‑quality, patient‑centered care.