BELFAST — MaineHealth Waldo Hospital has been recognized by the Lown Institute for outstanding performance, earning the #1 ranking in Maine for social responsibility as well as #1 in the state for Health Equity and Avoiding Overuse. In addition, the hospital is in the Top 10 in the Nation for Avoiding Overuse, and received “A” grades across multiple categories in the 2025-26 Lown Institute Hospitals Index.

The hospital ranked #1 among 13 critical access hospitals in Maine and 20th nationally for social responsibility, reflecting strong performance across more than 800 critical access hospitals evaluated nationwide. According to the Index, Waldo Hospital also received “A” ratings in Health Value of Care, Patient Outcomes, Clinical Outcomes, Community Benefit, and Inclusivity in addition to the other metrics mentioned. The Lown Institute Hospitals Index is an independent assessment, and hospitals do not apply or pay to be included, according to MaineHealth, in a news release.

“These rankings underscore our dedication to delivering exceptional care and advancing equity, inclusion and the overall health of our communities,” said Denise Needham, PharmD, president of MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals, in the news release. “I’m incredibly proud of our care team and their unwavering commitment to ensuring every patient receives the best possible care.”

"Hospitals are facing unprecedented political and financial challenges," said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. "In this uncertain environment, it's more important than ever to support the socially responsible hospitals who are delivering high-quality care to all in their community."

The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is the only ranking to combine metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, for more than 2,700 acute care and 800 critical access hospitals nationwide—offering a holistic view of hospitals as total community partners. In the sixth annual rankings, the 2025-26 Lown Index evaluates hospitals on over 50 measures including novel metrics such as community benefit, racial inclusivity, and avoidance of overuse. Data sources include Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage claims, CMS patient safety data and hospital cost reports, and IRS 990 forms, among others. Full methodology can be found on the Lown Index website.

The Lown Institute is an independent think tank advocating bold ideas for a just and caring system for health. Learn more at www.LownHospitalsIndex.org.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.