SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital has been recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as one of the top-performing hospitals in the nation, earning a prestigious CMS 5-Star Quality Rating. 

“Earning a CMS 5-Star Quality Rating is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the dedication our team members bring to their work every day,” according to DeAnn Thurmer, president at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo/SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital. “From the moment a patient walks through our doors, our focus is on delivering safe, compassionate, high-quality care close to home. This recognition reinforces our commitment to serving the Waupun community with excellence.”

CMS assigns star ratings based on hospitals’ performance across multiple quality measures, including mortality, safety of care, readmissions, patient experience, and the timeliness and effectiveness of care. 

The CMS 5-Star Quality Rating System serves as a valuable tool to help patients and families compare hospitals and make informed decisions about their health care. In 2026, only 384 hospitals nationwide achieved a 5-star rating, placing SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital among an elite group of top-performing providers. 

“We are proud to be recognized among the nation’s top-performing hospitals,” says Nicole Gill, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital vice president, clinical administrator. “For our patients and families, this rating provides added confidence that they can receive exceptional care right here in their community. It speaks to the trust our patients place in us and the teamwork of our caregivers who go above and beyond every day.”