Three Western North Carolina Hospitals Make Forbes Best Hospitals

On Dec. 29, 2025, Forbes released its inaugural Best Hospitals list for 2026, naming three Western North Carolina providers among the nation’s recognized facilities. Mission Health in Asheville and UNC Health Pardee in Hendersonville received five-star ratings for quality, patient experience, outcomes and safety, while AdventHealth Hendersonville earned four stars. Forbes’ ranking methodology draws on a mix of federal and survey data including Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services measures, patient satisfaction surveys, infection rates and mortality statistics.

For Buncombe County residents, Mission Health’s five-star designation is a direct affirmation of one of the county’s primary hospital systems. The recognition signals that, on the metrics Forbes evaluated, Mission Health performed among the top tier nationally. That can matter in day-to-day choices about where to seek care, in emergency referrals, and when specialists or primary care providers advise patients about treatment locations.

The regional nature of the honors also matters for the broader health economy. High-profile rankings can affect hospital bargaining power with insurers, influence where specialists choose to practice, and bolster local recruitment and retention of nurses and physicians. For community leaders and health planners, the designations may support efforts to attract further investment in facilities and services, and to market the region’s health care capacity to prospective residents and employers.

At the same time, rankings represent one lens on hospital performance. Forbes’ approach emphasizes measurable outcomes and patient experience, but no single list captures every aspect of care, such as access to specialty services, wait times, or community health programs. Residents should consider these star ratings alongside other information, including direct discussions with providers, insurer network details, and individual clinical needs.

Local hospitals may use the recognition to highlight areas of strength and to guide quality improvement where needed. For patients and families in Buncombe County and neighboring communities, the Forbes ratings provide a data point to inform decisions about care while prompting continued attention to transparency and measurable improvements in safety and outcomes.