Elkin, NC, December 16, 2025 – Hugh Chatham Health has been recognized as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award®, placing it among the top-performing hospitals nationwide. This designation signifies that Hugh Chatham Health ranks in the top 7%of over 4,600 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services.
Each year, more than 130 million emergency room visits occur in the U.S., making emergency departments a vital part of the healthcare system. Unlike other hospital departments, ER teams often interact with patients during moments of high stress, fear, and urgency—especially for women caring for children, elderly parents, or themselves.
“Emergency departments can be incredibly stressful, particularly for a mother with a sick child or an older adult facing a medical crisis,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Women influence 94% of all healthcare decisions, and they want to know which hospitals will provide fast, effective, and compassionate emergency care. Our award gives them that confidence.”
Award Methodology
The Women’s Choice Award for Emergency Care is the only national designation that combines clinical performance, patient satisfaction, and women’s healthcare preferences to identify top-performing hospitals.
Key criteria include:
- Time spent in the emergency department
- Percentage of patients who left without being seen
- Timeliness of brain scan results for patients presenting with stroke symptoms (within 45 minutes)
- Performance in treating severe sepsis, a life-threatening condition
- Trauma center level designation (additional points awarded)
Hospitals must rank in the top 25th to 50th percentile nationally for these measures to qualify.
“Long wait times and overcrowding can negatively impact outcomes, including increased mortality and patients leaving without treatment,” added Passi. “Hospitals like [Insert Hospital Name Here] not only perform well clinically, but also earn high recommendation ratings—something women value deeply when making healthcare decisions.”
Hugh Chatham Health is one of 459 hospitals nationwide to earn this prestigious recognition for 2026.
Dr. Jonathan Snyder, Chief Medical Officer at Hugh Chatham Health, said “Our mission has always been to deliver the highest level of emergency care to our patients. This recognition reflects the dedication and expertise of our emergency department team, who work around the clock to ensure our community receives compassionate and reliable care in critical moments. It underscores our commitment to excellence—making sure every patient who comes to our emergency department receives timely, effective, and personalized treatment. We are grateful to those who place their trust in us during life’s most urgent situations, and to the exceptional team whose skill and compassion make this achievement possible. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the health and safety of our community.”
For the full list of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care, visit:
https://womenschoiceaward.com/best-emergency-care
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ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD®
The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and a prestigious credential that identifies the nation’s top hospitals based on rigorous criteria, including clinical performance, patient satisfaction, and relevant accreditations. Hospitals earning this designation demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering exceptional care and prioritizing the health and well-being of their patients.
As the only award that incorporates the preferences of women in its methodology, the Women’s Choice Award empowers women to make informed healthcare decisions with confidence. In fact, 84% of women say they would trust a hospital more if it carried the Women’s Choice Award seal, making it a powerful symbol of quality and trust.
To learn more, visit www.womenschoiceaward.com.
About Hugh Chatham Health (www.hughchatham.org) is a not-for-profit community health care network of physician clinics and an 81-bed acute care hospital that serves residents of the Yadkin Valley region of North Carolina and southwestern Virginia. Recently becoming part of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Hugh Chatham employs more than 900 teammates at its hospital, 24 medical practices, and home health agency. Headquartered in Elkin, North Carolina, Hugh Chatham has been nationally recognized for patient satisfaction, patient safety, and clinical quality.
