Saint Joseph Hospital's emergency department earns four-star rating

National healthcare research firm recognizes hospital's excellence in emergency care

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:12pm

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray image revealing the internal structure of a hospital bed, with glowing lines and shapes representing the advanced medical equipment and technology used in the emergency department.An X-ray view of the specialized equipment and technology powering Saint Joseph Hospital's award-winning emergency department.Elgin Today

Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin, Illinois has been recognized as a 4-Star Top Performer for Overall Emergency Department Care by national healthcare research firm Professional Research Consultants (PRC). The hospital was also recently granted Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) by the American College of Emergency Physicians, affirming its commitment to providing specialized, compassionate care for older adults in the community.

Why it matters

This recognition highlights Saint Joseph Hospital's dedication to delivering high-quality emergency services and specialized care for older patients, meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the Elgin community.

The details

PRC's Excellence in Healthcare Awards honor organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance in improving patient experience, employee engagement, and physician alignment. Saint Joseph Hospital was ranked among the top 25% nationally in the Emergency Department category based on comprehensive survey feedback. The hospital has also implemented an automated online scheduling system called FastTrackCare to improve access and the overall patient experience in the emergency department.

  • Saint Joseph Hospital has been recognized as a 4-Star Top Performer for 2026.
  • The hospital was granted Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) last month.

The players

Professional Research Consultants (PRC)

A national healthcare research firm that grants the Excellence in Healthcare Awards to recognize outstanding performance in healthcare organizations.

Eva Balderrama

CEO of Saint Joseph Hospital.

Maria Suvacarov

Chief Nursing Officer of Saint Joseph Hospital.

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

The organization that granted Saint Joseph Hospital's emergency department Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA).

Prime Healthcare

The healthcare system that Saint Joseph Hospital is a member of.

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What they’re saying

“It is an honor to recognize Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin with this Excellence in Healthcare Award for their deserving work. It takes true dedication and determination to achieve this level of excellence in Overall Care in Emergency Medicine, and Saint Joseph has shown its commitment to making their hospital a better place to work, a better place to practice medicine, and a better place for their patients to be treated.”

— Joe M. Inguanzo, President and CEO of Professional Research Consultants (PRC)

“Since 1902, our doors have never closed, and our emergency department will always be here for the people of Elgin and the surrounding communities. Our newest service in the emergency department is FastTrackCare, an automated online scheduling system that allows patients to reserve an arrival time for non-life-threatening conditions. This scheduling tool has improved both access and the overall patient experience.”

— Eva Balderrama, CEO of Saint Joseph Hospital

“As the community continues to age, expanding services for older adults remains a key priority. GEDA accreditation is part of our broader commitment to advancing care for older adults, alongside our newly licensed Older Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health unit.”

— Maria Suvacarov, Chief Nursing Officer of Saint Joseph Hospital

What’s next

Saint Joseph Hospital plans to continue expanding its services and commitment to providing high-quality, specialized care for the growing older adult population in the Elgin community.

The takeaway

This recognition demonstrates Saint Joseph Hospital's leadership in emergency medicine and geriatric care, highlighting its dedication to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the Elgin community through innovative programs and a patient-centric approach.