Clay County Medical Center (CCMC) has earned national recognition for excellence in nurse communication, receiving a prestigious 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). With this achievement, CCMC ranks among the top 8% of hospitals across the United States for the quality of nurse-patient communication.

The rating is based on results from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, which measures patient experience in hospitals across the country. For nurse communication, patients were asked how well their nurses explained things clearly, listened carefully, and treated them with courtesy and respect.

“Clear, compassionate communication is at the heart of great nursing care,” said Julie Crimmins, MBA MSN, RN is the Director of Inpatient Nursing at CCMC. “This honor reflects the dedication of our nursing staff to truly listening to patients, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and supported every step of the way.”

Data for the CMS star ratings was collected between October 2023 and September 2024 and released in August 2025. The recognition highlights CCMC’s ongoing commitment to patient-centered care and excellence in healthcare delivery.

“This recognition places CCMC among an elite group of hospitals nationwide,” said CEO Austin Gillard. “We are proud that patients recognize and appreciate the care our team provides.”

Only a small percentage of hospitals nationwide achieved five stars in this category.

For the full list of 5-star hospitals, visit Becker’s Hospital Review at https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/rankings-and-ratings/529-top-hospitals-for-nurse-communication/.