PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — CalvertHealth Medical Center has achieved a CalvertHealth 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the latest hospital quality assessments, marking the highest recognition possible and positioning it among elite performers across the United States.
The CalvertHealth 5-star rating, announced in July 2025, evaluates hospitals based on 45 quality measures divided into five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission rates, patient experience, and timely and effective care. This comprehensive system draws from data submitted by hospitals nationwide, with ratings calculated using a methodology that groups measures, applies weights, and assigns stars from one to five based on performance relative to peers. For the July 2025 update, 381 hospitals out of approximately 2,846 rated facilities received the top CalvertHealth 5-star rating equivalent, representing about 8.2 percent of those evaluated. CalvertHealth’s accomplishment highlights its focus on patient outcomes, such as lower mortality and readmission rates, alongside strong marks in safety protocols and care efficiency.
“This incredible achievement reflects the dedication of every member of our team – from nurses and physicians to support staff – all working together to put patients first,” said CalvertHealth President and CEO Jeremy Bradford. “We are honored to be recognized nationally for the high-quality care we provide to Calvert County and the Southern Maryland community every day.”
The CalvertHealth 5-star rating builds on prior recognitions, including a four-star designation in earlier CMS evaluations and high-performing status in five adult procedures and conditions according to U.S. News & World Report. Located in Prince Frederick, the hospital serves as a key healthcare provider for Calvert County residents and the broader Southern Maryland region, where access to advanced care can involve travel to larger urban centers like Baltimore or Washington, D.C.
Officials at CalvertHealth attribute the CalvertHealth 5-star rating to sustained investments in quality improvement initiatives, staff training programs, and technological advancements. These efforts align with the hospital’s mission to deliver exceptional care throughout a patient’s lifetime, fostering trust within the community. The rating also validates ongoing collaborations, such as a partnership with Duke Health for enhanced cancer services, which began in 2022 to bring specialized oncology expertise to local patients without requiring extensive travel.
CMS introduced the star rating system in 2016 to help consumers compare hospitals using publicly available data on Medicare.gov. The methodology involves standardizing scores for each measure group, then combining them into a summary score that determines the final rating. Hospitals must report sufficient data across at least three measure groups, including mortality or safety, to qualify. In Maryland, the state-level cut points for health inspections contribute to the ratings, with the top 10 percent earning five stars in that domain. For the 2025 ratings, CMS emphasized equity adjustments and peer grouping to account for variations in patient populations, ensuring fair comparisons.
CalvertHealth Medical Center, a nonprofit community hospital with 78 staffed beds, offers a range of services tailored to Southern Maryland needs, including primary care in locations like Dunkirk, Prince Frederick, Solomons, and Twin Beaches; general surgery; hematology and oncology; obstetrics and gynecology; orthopedics; and urgent care centers for after-hours treatment. The facility also provides specialized amenities such as a birth center with private rooms, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, and designation as a Primary Stroke Center by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems. These services support the region’s growing population, where healthcare demands include managing chronic conditions common in rural and suburban areas.
Founded in 1919 as a small community hospital in a two-story frame building, CalvertHealth has expanded over more than a century to meet evolving demands in Southern Maryland. Early growth included opening urgent care centers in 1997 and a new birth center in 1999, reflecting adaptations to family and emergency needs. By the 2010s, the hospital added the Sheldon E. Goldberg Center for Breast Care, transforming local breast health services. Accredited by The Joint Commission, CalvertHealth now operates as an integrated health system with multiple outpatient sites, emphasizing preventive care and wellness programs like health screenings and community events.
The CalvertHealth 5-star rating arrives as healthcare in Southern Maryland continues to prioritize accessibility and quality amid national trends toward value-based care. Local leaders view such recognitions as vital for attracting skilled providers and retaining patients who might otherwise seek treatment elsewhere. With CMS ratings updated annually in July, hospitals like CalvertHealth must maintain performance to sustain high marks, which influence Medicare reimbursements and public perception.
This milestone reinforces CalvertHealth’s role as a healthcare anchor in Calvert County, where it employs hundreds and contributes to economic stability through services that keep care close to home. Residents can access detailed CMS data to compare options, supporting informed decisions in a region known for its coastal communities and proximity to the Patuxent River.
