Winter 2014
Posted on 7/10/2026
Acquires and reorganizes underperforming hospitals
$23 - $26.22/hr
Ontario, CA, USA
In Person
Temporary on-site Bio-Med Intern in Ontario, California; Day shift.
People at Prime Healthcare who can refer or advise you
Prime Healthcare operates a network of hospitals and outpatient centers across the United States, focusing on turning around financially distressed facilities. It does this by investing in infrastructure and technology, restructuring operations, and negotiating payer terms, including higher out-of-network reimbursements when needed. The system includes for-profit hospitals and not-for-profit facilities run by the Prime Healthcare Foundation, with 51 hospitals and 360+ outpatient locations in 14 states. Its goal is to stabilize and improve financial and clinical performance to continue serving communities.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Debt Financing
Total Funding
$2.2B
Headquarters
Ontario, California
Founded
2001
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Prime Healthcare recognized among nation's leaders in Social Responsibility by Lown Institute. Twenty-six Prime Healthcare hospitals earned "A" grades for Social Responsibility, while six hospitals were named to the prestigious Lown Honor Roll. ONTARIO, Calif. (July 2, 2026) - Prime Healthcare has been recognized by the 2026 Lown Hospitals Index for its commitment to social responsibility, with 26 hospitals earning "A" grades and six hospitals named to the prestigious Lown Honor Roll. "The Lown Index takes a comprehensive look at who hospitals are - their outcomes, their value and their commitment to community," said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. "An 'A' in social responsibility means a hospital has met high standards across the board." The Lown Hospitals Index is the nation's only ranking that evaluates hospitals not only on clinical outcomes and patient safety, but also on health equity, community benefit, inclusivity, value of care and avoidance of unnecessary care. This year, 49 Prime hospitals were evaluated by the Lown Institute, up from 46 last year. Twenty-six hospitals across 10 states earned an overall "A" grade in Social Responsibility, including 10 Prime Healthcare Foundation hospitals and 16 Prime Healthcare Services hospitals. Six hospitals achieved Honor Roll status by earning "A" grades across all measured categories, including Health Equity, Value of Care and Patient Outcomes. As a system, Prime Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity, once again earned an "A" grade in Social Responsibility. "The Lown Institute's recognition underscores what drives Prime Healthcare's mission every day: preserving access to care, strengthening the communities we serve, supporting our caregivers and empowering physician leadership to deliver exceptional patient outcomes," said Dr. Sunny Bhatia, President and Chief Medical Officer of Prime Healthcare. "We are proud that so many of our hospitals are being recognized not only for clinical excellence, but also for overall social responsibility and service to their communities. These achievements reflect the hope that patients and families feel when access to health care is preserved for the communities that need it most." The six Prime Healthcare hospitals named to the 2026 Lown Honor Roll are: Several Prime hospitals also received notable state-level distinctions: * Central Maine Medical Center ranked No. 1 in Maine for Patient Safety and Inclusivity * East Liverpool City Hospital ranked No. 1 in Ohio for Social Responsibility * Providence Medical Center ranked No. 1 in Kansas for Social Responsibility, Health Equity, Community Benefit, Inclusivity and Racial Inclusivity * Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital ranked No. 1 in Illinois for Social Responsibility and Top 5 in Illinois for Health Equity, Patient Safety and Inclusivity * Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center ranked No. 1 in Nevada for Social Responsibility, Pay Equity and Cost Efficiency * Saint Michael's Medical Center ranked No. 1 in New Jersey for Health Equity and Inclusivity The Lown Institute recognition adds to a growing list of national honors earned by Prime Healthcare and its hospitals. In 2026, Prime hospitals received more than 150 Healthgrades achievements for clinical excellence and patient safety, seven hospitals were named to Becker's Healthcare's "100 Great Community Hospitals" list, and Prime Healthcare was recognized by Newsweek among America's Greatest Workplaces. Prime Healthcare also ranked among the Top 10 health systems nationwide for Leapfrog "A" Hospital Safety Grades and among the Top 5 nationally for the total number of "A" grades earned.
Prime Healthcare ranks among Top 10 Health systems nationwide for patient safety. Twenty-two Prime hospitals earn "A" Hospital Safety grades from The Leapfrog Group, with Prime also ranking among the Top 5 nationally for "Straight A" performance. ONTARIO, Calif. (June 26, 2026) - Prime Healthcare is proud to announce that it ranks among the Top 10 health systems nationwide for the number of hospitals earning an "A" Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2026, with 22 Prime hospitals across 10 states receiving the organization's highest rating. Prime also ranks among the Top 5 health systems nationally for "Straight A" performance, reflecting sustained excellence in patient safety across its award-winning national system. "The 'A' Grades are a strong sign that hospitals are deeply committed to protecting patients from harm," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning these distinctions." As one of the largest physician-founded and physician-led health systems in the United States, Prime Healthcare continues to set the standard for transforming community hospitals into centers of excellence that provide accessible, high-quality, compassionate care. Among the 22 Prime hospitals receiving an "A" grade, 19 have earned consecutive top marks across multiple grading periods, demonstrating a sustained culture of safety and quality. "Patient safety is the foundation of clinical excellence and the promise we make to every patient who entrusts us with their care," said Sunny Bhatia, MD, President and Chief Medical Officer, Prime Healthcare. "This national recognition reflects the daily standard of quality, consistency, and accountability upheld by our physicians, nurses, and caregivers across the country. Safety is not simply a measure of performance at Prime, it is a reflection of who we are." Six Prime Healthcare Foundation hospitals earned an "A" grade, including East Liverpool City Hospital in Ohio, which has achieved 17 "Straight A's" since 2018, and Mission Regional Medical Center in Texas, which has earned 12 consecutive "A" grades since 2020. "We are very proud that several of our Foundation hospitals have earned 'Straight A's' for so many consecutive cycles, which reflects a culture grounded in purpose, accountability, and deep care for the communities we serve," said Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President and Chair of the Prime Healthcare Foundation. "We are truly grateful to our physicians, nurses, and care teams whose commitment to safety and quality brings hope to the lives of patients every day. It is genuinely inspiring." The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the nation's only ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, infections, and injuries. Grades are peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and updated twice annually, in the spring and fall. This achievement reflects Prime Healthcare's enduring commitment to transforming community hospitals into centers of clinical excellence and ensuring that safe, high-quality, compassionate care remains accessible in communities that need it most. In the past year, Prime hospitals earned more than 150 clinical quality awards from Healthgrades, and Prime hospitals have been named among the nation's "100 Top Hospitals" by Premier 75 times. Recognized by the Lown Institute as a Top 10 Health System for social responsibility, health equity, and clinical outcomes, Prime continues to strengthen hospitals that serve as lifelines for their communities. The full list of Prime Healthcare hospitals receiving Spring 2026 "A" grades is below. * Chino Valley Medical Center, Chino, CA (4 consecutive A's) * Coshocton Regional Medical Center, Coshocton, OH (6 consecutive A's) * Desert Valley Hospital, Victorville, CA (4 consecutive A's) * East Liverpool City Hospital, Liverpool, OH (17 consecutive A's since 2018) * Garden City Hospital, Garden City, MI (9 consecutive A's) * Harlingen Medical Center, Harlingen, TX (10 consecutive A's) * Knapp Medical Center, Weslaco, TX (2 consecutive A's) * Mission Regional Medical Center, Mission, TX (12 consecutive A's since 2020) * Monroe Hospital, Bloomington, IN * Montclair Hospital Medical Center, Montclair, CA (7 consecutive A's) * North Vista Hospital, North Las Vegas, NV (4 consecutive A's) * Paradise Valley Hospital, National City, CA (12 consecutive A's since 2020) * Riverview Regional Medical Center, Gadsden, AL (3 consecutive A's) * Saint Clare's Hospital, Denville, NJ * Saint Joseph Hospital, Elgin, IL (2 consecutive A's) * Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center, Reno, NV (4 consecutive A's) * Saint Michael's Medical Center, Newark, NJ (5 consecutive A's) * Shasta Regional Medical Center, Redding, CA (5 consecutive A's) * St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood, CA * St. Mary's General Hospital, Passaic, NJ (10 consecutive A's) * St. Mary's Hospital, Kankakee, IL (5 consecutive A's) * St. Mary's Medical Center, Blue Springs, MO (2 consecutive A's) To see full Leapfrog grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
Nurses at St. Joseph's Medical Center file class action lawsuit against Prime Healthcare and Ascension for distress caused by unsafe staffing. June 8, 2026 3:05PM CDT Nurses at St. Joseph's Medical Center, represented by the Illinois Nurses Association, have filed a class action lawsuit against Ascension Healthcare and Prime Healthcare for inflicting severe emotional distress by chronically understaffing the hospital. Due to the hospital's ongoing refusal to meet safe nurse-to-patient ratios, nurses have suffered significant burnout, fatigue, and damage to their mental and physical health. "Every nurse at St. Joseph's has seen a patient suffer because the floor wasn't staffed properly - whether that's a patient falling, experiencing bed sores because they weren't turned over in time, or missing a medication dose. It's traumatizing to watch and know you couldn't help," said Mary Sue Bulger, an RN at St. Joseph's. "Nurses give our all for our patients, but it will never be enough if management refuses to properly staff the hospital." According to the complaint, Ascension and Prime repeatedly breached St. Joseph's legally-mandated nurse staffing plan, forcing nurses to work shifts that put themselves and their patients in danger. Nurses have filed hundreds of "Assignment Despite Objection" forms against the hospital to document the times they were asked to work in a shift that compromised patient safety. These complaints were routinely ignored by St. Joseph's for-profit owners (Ascension Healthcare from 2018 to 2025 and Prime Healthcare from March 2025 to present), leading nurses to feel demoralized, humiliated, and hopeless as they worked themselves to the brink of exhaustion. Under the Illinois Hospital Licensing Act, each Illinois hospital must implement and follow a nurse staffing plan prepared in consultation with a nursing care committee. While there are no legally-mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in Illinois, this plan ensures nurses at each facility have input into their hospital's minimum safe nurse-to-patient ratios and staffing standards. By chronically understaffing shifts, Ascension and Prime repeatedly violated their own staffing plan, which already had lower nurse-to-patient ratios than recommended by the nursing care committee and other industry standards. "By endangering the lives of patients through severe understaffing and forcing [nurses] to watch helplessly as the needs of their patients are ignored [Ascension Healthcare and Prime Healthcare] have engaged in conduct that is unethical, immoral and indifferent to the conduct expected of a hospital, to provide safe and adequate patient care," the complaint reads. Plaintiff nurses in the case include Cathie Wolff, Mary Sue Bulger, Paula Koranda, and Cindy Poe. Only Wolff and Bulger still work at the hospital, as the burnout conditions forced the other two plaintiffs to find employment elsewhere - adding to the exodus of hundreds of nurses who have left St. Joseph's in recent years. The complaint filed by the INA on June 2 represents an innovative strategy that could ultimately provide a legal avenue to force hospitals to staff their facilities properly. The 584 nurses at St. Joseph's are represented by the St. Joseph's Nurses Association, a local bargaining unit of the Illinois Nurses Association. Community members and advocates can send a letter to Prime CEO Prem Reddy demanding the company invest in the hospital and its workers at bit.ly/HoldPrimeAccountable.
'Top Hospitals' honors from Forbes. Michael Swartz May 1, 2026 Harlingen Medical Center, Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, and Mission Regional Medical Center have each been named as a "Forbes Top Hospitals 2026" for high patient outcomes by the renowned national magazine. This prestigious distinction places the three Prime Healthcare hospitals among the top hospitals in the country for advancing healthcare excellence and helping to ensure good clinical outcomes for their patients. The recognition also highlights the Prime hospitals' consistency across the Rio Grande Valley in protecting patients from preventable errors and complications. In addition to the latest recognition from Forbes, all three Prime hospitals also received an "A" grade for patient safety in the fall of 2025 from The Leapfrog Group, a national, independent healthcare ratings organization. In the Forbes rankings, Harlingen Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center received the highest ranking available as 5-star honorees, while Mission Regional Medical Center was recognized as a 4-star award winner. Harlingen Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center were two of only four hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley - and two of only 14 hospitals in the state - to receive the overall 5-star recognition from Forbes. Of the approximately 2,500 hospitals analyzed by Forbes, 253 earned an overall 5-star rating. "We are honored to receive these awards for quality of care," said Todd Mann, CEO of Harlingen Medical Center. "This latest recognition from Forbes reflects the dedication of our team and our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional care to the patients and communities we serve." Rene J. Lopez, MD, FACHE, RRT, CEO for Knapp Medical Center, said the hospital's recognition is a testament to the work of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing "the highest-quality healthcare to residents of the Mid-Valley - every patient, every time." "Quality care matters," added Kane Dawson, CEO of Mission Regional Medical Center. "By choosing our hospitals, you can ensure that you receive the high-quality outcomes you rightly deserve." Dr. Sunny Bhatia, President and Corporate Chief Medical Officer of Prime Healthcare, said, "To be recognized on Forbes' inaugural Top Hospitals list is both an honor and a meaningful validation of Prime Healthcare's physician-led model of delivering exceptional clinical care. These distinctions highlight the expertise, compassion, and commitment of our caregivers, who elevate standards of care in every community we serve. I am deeply proud of their dedication and inspired by what we are building together to strengthen community hospitals throughout the nation." In evaluating hospitals nationwide for the awards, Forbes assigned a star rating, from 1-star to 5-stars, across four categories to calculate a hospital's overall score. According to Forbes' website, this methodology placed the most weight on clinical outcomes (such as rates of mortality, survival, infection, and readmissions), so that patient outcomes have the most impact on each hospital's overall rating.
Prime Healthcare earns unanimous approval, community support for expansion across Illinois with Olympia Fields. Applauded by community leaders for commitment to access, care, quality and social responsibility. ONTARIO, Calif. and OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. (April 14, 2026) - Prime Healthcare received unanimous approval today from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board for the purchase of Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. The 8-0 vote reflects confidence in Prime Healthcare's proven ability to strengthen hospitals, preserve access to care and deliver on commitments made to communities across Illinois. The official transition to Prime Healthcare is expected to take place on or around May 1. With the addition of Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Prime Healthcare will welcome its 55th hospital into its nationally recognized health system. As originally announced in January, Prime entered into an asset purchase agreement with Franciscan Alliance to acquire Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, further expanding Prime's mission-driven presence in Chicagoland and reinforcing its commitment to preserving access to high-quality, compassionate care in communities that need it most. The transaction adds the 214-bed Franciscan Health Olympia Fields and Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC to Prime Healthcare's award-winning national system, which is recognized for clinical excellence, health equity and social responsibility. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields has served the South Suburbs for more than two decades and is Franciscan Alliance's only hospital in Illinois. "Prime Healthcare is uniquely positioned to carry on Franciscan Health Olympia Fields' legacy of service to the poor and vulnerable," Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Interim President and CEO Frank McHugh said. "... Prime Healthcare's ability to strengthen hospitals while honoring values-based care gives us hope and confidence the South Suburbs will continue to have sustainable, quality healthcare access." Prime Healthcare is a physician-founded and physician-led national health system with 54 hospitals and a proven record of saving and improving struggling hospitals and uplifting communities. Prime is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a 10 Top Health System by Truven Health Analytics and its hospitals have been named among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals more than 70 times. Prime believes in ensuring access to care for everyone, especially those in greatest need, and is recognized for its commitment to social responsibility. Since 2010, Prime has provided more than $16 billion in community benefit and charity care, preserving essential healthcare services for more than 600 communities nationwide. "This moment represents more than a transition, it is a commitment to the future of healthcare in the South Suburbs," said Prime Healthcare President and Chief Medical Officer Sunny Bhatia, MD. "We are grateful for the trust placed in us today and dedicated to ensuring that Franciscan Health Olympia Fields remains a pillar of care while growing as a trusted community partner. By investing in people, patients and community, we are fulfilling our promise of saving hospitals, saving jobs and saving lives." Community leaders across the region have also expressed strong support for the transaction, highlighting the importance of maintaining access to care in the South Suburbs. "Prime Healthcare has a strong record of investing in hospitals in financial distress while retaining staff, improving facilities and expanding patient care services," said State Representative Anthony DeLuca in a letter of support to the Review Board. "Their commitment to the community is evident through facility enhancements, expanded behavioral health and oncology services and charitable contributions that directly support local residents." In a letter of support, State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin said, "I believe this transaction presents an important opportunity to preserve and strengthen access to care for residents in the South Suburbs... Prime Healthcare representatives expressed a strong commitment to local engagement and local leadership." Caregivers across the region have also expressed confidence in the future of Olympia Fields under Prime Healthcare's leadership. "I'm proud to share what things have been like to work for Prime Healthcare," Lludid Maxinez, RN, of Prime Healthcare's Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, said in a statement submitted to the Review Board. "Things are different now that Prime Healthcare is at the helm and none of this would be possible without their support. Prime Healthcare has invested $10 million in capital improvements for Saint Francis Hospital, a powerful commitment to advancing patient care, strengthening our infrastructure and supporting the incredible work of our staff. Prime is helping us build a stronger, safer future for every patient who walks through our doors." "Franciscan Alliance selected Prime Healthcare following a comprehensive review process that included due diligence and careful evaluation of mission alignment, ethical commitment and long-term sustainability," Franciscan Alliance President and CEO Kevin Leahy said. "Prime's experience operating Catholic hospitals in Illinois, along with its demonstrated commitment to quality, community service and ethical care delivery, were central to Franciscan's decision." As part of the proposed transaction, Prime Healthcare has committed to a series of mission-driven investments designed to strengthen long-term access to care and advance medical education. These commitments include a $5 million philanthropic contribution to support Franciscan's expansion of medical education, aligned with Prime's national investment in physician training through its medical school and residency programs across the country. The transaction also includes the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity, which will help ensure continued participation in the 340B program to maintain access to lifesaving services, support for physicians through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and expanded investments in graduate medical education, scholarships, and community benefit initiatives. "The Prime Healthcare Foundation is honored to support the legacy of Olympia Fields and help ensure continued access to lifesaving programs for the community," said Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President and Chair of Prime Healthcare Foundation. "Through support for physicians, continued participation in loan forgiveness programs, expanded graduate medical education and scholarships and partnership with community organizations, we are investing in hope, opportunity and a brighter future for the South Suburbs." Consistent with Prime's long-standing practice, the system will offer employment to substantially all employees and will continue charity care and community benefit programs, fulfilling its mission of "saving hospitals, saving jobs, and saving lives." About Prime Healthcare: Prime Healthcare is an award-winning health system operating 54 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations in 15 states, providing over 3 million patient visits annually. It is one of the nation's leading health systems, with more than 60,000 staff and affiliated physicians. Twenty-one of the Prime Healthcare hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. Based in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a 10 Top and 15 Top Health System by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals have been named among the nation's "100 Top Hospitals" 75 times and is one of Healthgrades' most awarded health systems in the nation for patient safety. To learn more, please visit primehealthcare.com. About Franciscan Alliance: The Franciscan Alliance healthcare ministry began in Lafayette, Ind. in 1875. Today, Franciscan Alliance is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 12 hospital campuses, more than 19,000 employees and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Hospitals include Franciscan Health Carmel; Franciscan Health Crawfordsville; Franciscan Health Crown Point; Franciscan Health Dyer; Franciscan Health Indianapolis; Franciscan Health Lafayette; Franciscan Health Michigan City; Franciscan Health Mooresville; Franciscan Health Munster; Franciscan Health Olympia Fields (Ill.), Franciscan Health Orthopedic Hospital (Carmel) and Franciscan Health Rensselaer.