Charlotte NC, July 31, 2025
News Summary
U.S. News & World Report’s latest hospital rankings highlight the top hospitals in North Carolina, with Duke University, UNC Hospitals, and Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center leading in performance and patient care. Atrium Health is particularly noted for its treatment specialties, while Novant Health Presbyterian Center and Atrium Health Cabarrus also make the top rankings. These evaluations shed light on the state’s healthcare quality and safety standards.
Charlotte, NC – U.S. News & World Report has recently released its latest annual hospital rankings, revealing that three Charlotte-area hospitals are among the best in North Carolina. The rankings reflect a combination of performance metrics and expert opinions on patient care and treatments offered.
Duke University Hospital in Durham has been recognized as the top hospital in North Carolina, followed closely by UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill at the second position. Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte stands out as the third-best hospital in the state, marking its significant contribution to healthcare in the region.
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center has garnered national recognition for its adult orthopedic treatment and excels in ten different children’s specialties, including neonatology and pediatric cancer. In addition to its statewide ranking, Carolinas Medical Center is identified as the best hospital in Charlotte.
Novant Health Presbyterian Center in Charlotte ties for seventh place in the state rankings alongside Moses H. Cone Memorial in Greensboro and Mission Hospital in Asheville. This hospital has been acknowledged as a high-performing institution for 18 distinct procedures and conditions. It ranks as the second-best hospital in the Charlotte area.
Meanwhile, Atrium Health Cabarrus has secured a tie for the tenth position in North Carolina alongside Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Atrium Health Cabarrus rates highly in 15 different medical procedures and conditions, earning recognition as the third-best hospital in the Charlotte region.
The U.S. News rankings stem from a mixture of data-driven performance metrics and expert evaluations across various hospitals and specialties. In a related assessment, the Leapfrog Group’s spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades spotlighted safety standards in North Carolina hospitals, with only Duke University Hospital, FirstHealth Moore, and Novant Health Presbyterian receiving “A” grades for their exceptional safety performance. Most hospitals in Charlotte and the Triangle area have achieved “A” or “B” grades; however, Atrium Health University City received a “C” due to concerns regarding patient communication and infection rates.
Additionally, Granville Medical Center in Oxford was highlighted for the lowest grade in the state at a “D,” stemming from multiple patient safety issues, including problems related to bedsores and handwashing practices. On a more positive note, Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital was named the number one children’s hospital in North Carolina, also tying for first place in the southeastern United States. This institution has been recognized for its achievements in the U.S. News & World Report’s ‘Best Children’s Hospitals’ ranking for 17 consecutive years, consistently performing among the top 50 nationwide across ten pediatric specialties.
This year’s rankings and safety grades provide crucial insights into North Carolina’s healthcare landscape, showcasing hospitals that excel in various procedures and specialties while emphasizing the importance of patient safety and quality care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hospitals ranked highest in North Carolina?
Duke University Hospital is the top hospital in North Carolina, followed by UNC Hospitals and Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.
What specialties is Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center recognized for?
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center is nationally recognized for adult orthopedic treatment and excellence in ten children’s specialties including neonatology and pediatric cancer.
How is the hospital ranking determined?
The U.S. News rankings are based on a mix of data-driven performance metrics and evaluations from healthcare experts.
Which hospitals received the highest safety grades in North Carolina?
Duke University Hospital, FirstHealth Moore, and Novant Health Presbyterian all received “A” grades for safety.
Key Features of North Carolina’s Top Hospitals
| Hospital Name | State Ranking | City | Specialty Recognition | Safety Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University Hospital | 1 | Durham | General Excellence | A |
| UNC Hospitals | 2 | Chapel Hill | General Excellence | A-B |
| Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center | 3 | Charlotte | Orthopedic, Children’s Specialties | A-B |
| Novant Health Presbyterian Center | 7 | Charlotte | High Performance in 18 Areas | A |
| Atrium Health Cabarrus | 10 | Concord | High Performance in 15 Areas | A-B |
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Additional Resources
- WCNC News
- Wikipedia: Hospital Ranking
- Charlotte Observer
- Google Search: Charlotte NC hospitals
- WSOC-TV
- Google Scholar: North Carolina hospitals rankings
- WBTV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hospital Rankings
- Axios Charlotte
- Google News: North Carolina hospital safety grades
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
