Fort Myers & Naples Make the List – Florida’s Top Hospital is Also Among the Best in the Nation, According to U.S. News

The 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings are out—and Southwest Florida has reason to celebrate. Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers and NCH Baker Hospital in Naples have both earned high marks in this year’s list of Best Regional Hospitals, proving that top-tier healthcare isn’t limited to major cities.

In its 36th annual Best Hospitals report, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,440 hospitals nationwide, using performance-based metrics across 30 medical and surgical services. Out of those, only 504 hospitals across 49 states and 95 metro areas earned the designation of "Best Regional Hospital"—and both Naples and Fort Myers made the cut.

Florida’s Best Hospital: AdventHealth Orlando

AdventHealth Orlando took the top spot as Florida’s #1 hospital and also landed a prestigious spot among the Top 20 hospitals nationwide. That places AdventHealth Orlando alongside world-renowned institutions like Mayo Clinic-Rochester, Johns Hopkins, and Cleveland Clinic.

These top rankings are based on rigorous, data-driven analysis, including metrics like risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, nursing staffing, and patient outcomes across more than 800 million records of care. Two new categories were added this year: Heart Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Implantation, bringing the total number of condition-specific ratings to 22.

Fort Myers & Naples Regional Standouts

Among Florida’s top hospitals, Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers ranked #12, and NCH Baker Hospital in Naples ranked #16, both earning recognition for their commitment to quality care and specialized services. Also on the list is Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, tied at #18.

These local hospitals aren’t just numbers on a list—they are vital pillars of their communities, offering high-level care close to home. As Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News, noted:

“For most Americans, health care decisions are made close to home. The Best Regional Hospitals rankings underscore the difference high-performing local medical centers make.”

Florida’s Top 5 Regional Hospitals:

No. 2 - Mayo Clinic-Florida, Jacksonville

No. 3 - UF Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville

No. 4 - Tampa General Hospital, Tampa

No. 5 - Orlando Health - Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando

No. 6 - Cleveland Clinic Weston, Weston

No. 7 - Baptist Health Baptist Hospital, Miami

No. 8 - Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville

No. 9 - Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota

No. 10 - Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach

No. 11 - HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, Gainesville

No. 12 - Lee Memorial Hospital, Fort Myers

No. 12 - University of Miami Hospital and Clinics - UHealth Tower, Miami

No. 14 - AdventHealth Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach

No. 14 - Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater

No. 16 - AdventHealth Tampa, Tampa

No. 16 - NCH Baker Hospital, Naples

No. 18 - Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers

No. 18 - Memorial Hospital West, Pembroke Pines

No. 18 - St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa

No. 21 - Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital, Jacksonville

No. 21 - Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, Stuart

No. 21 - Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Tallahassee

No. 24 - Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne

No. 25 - Brandon Regional Hospital, Brandon

No. 25 - HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, Brooksville

No. 25 - HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Ocala

No. 28 - AdventHealth Waterman, Tavares

No. 28 - Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Vero Beach

No. 28 - HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, Miami

No. 31 - AdventHealth Fish Memorial, Orange City

No. 31 - Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital, Pensacola

No. 31 - Baptist Hospital, Pensacola

No. 31 - Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood

No. 35 - AdventHealth Ocala, Ocala

No. 35 - AdventHealth Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills

No. 37 - AdventHealth Palm Coast, Palm Coast

No. 37 - Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, South Miami

No. 37 - HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, Aventura

As our population grows and ages, access to high-quality healthcare becomes more critical than ever. The inclusion of Fort Myers and Naples hospitals in these rankings sends a powerful message: residents don’t need to travel far to receive nationally recognized care. From emergency services to specialized surgery and chronic disease management, Southwest Florida continues to raise the bar.

For more details and the full list of hospital rankings, visit the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals 2025-2026.

~ Felicia, XO