The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS) has secured a 5-star rating in the 2026 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, reinforcing the healthcare provider’s standing among the highest-performing Veterans hospitals in the United States.
The Muskogee-based healthcare system said the latest recognition reflects its continued focus on service quality, patient safety and operational improvement across all areas of Veteran care. The organisation has now sustained its 5-star status through what it described as a long-term commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery and customer service.
CMS publishes its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings annually to help patients compare hospital performance across the country. Ratings are determined using measures across five core categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Hospitals are awarded between one and five stars, with higher ratings indicating stronger overall performance.
The latest rating places EOVAHCS among a growing number of Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals achieving high marks under the CMS evaluation framework.
“Receiving a 5-star rating from CMS is a reflection of the dedication our entire team brings to caring for Veterans every day,” said Kimberly Dening, DNP, RN, executive director of the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. “This rating underscores our commitment to delivering safe, timely and high-quality care, and we are proud to contribute to VA’s continued nationwide excellence.”
The announcement comes as the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to report improvements in hospital quality performance nationwide. According to the latest CMS data, 78% of VA hospitals that received a rating earned either four or five stars in 2026, signalling sustained progress across the federal healthcare network.
The VA has now outperformed non-VA healthcare providers for the fourth consecutive year, according to the data referenced in the report. In addition, 2026 marks the second straight year in which no VA hospital received a one-star rating, highlighting broader improvements in healthcare quality and patient outcomes across the system.
Performance gains among VA hospitals have accelerated significantly in recent years. The proportion of VA hospitals receiving four or five stars rose from 67% in 2023 to 77% in 2025, before increasing again to 78% in 2026. Although the figure dipped to 58% in 2024, the latest results suggest the organisation has regained momentum in driving quality standards higher across its facilities.
Healthcare analysts frequently view CMS star ratings as an important benchmark for operational effectiveness and patient care standards. Ratings are widely monitored by healthcare providers, policymakers and patients, particularly as healthcare systems face increased scrutiny over patient outcomes, safety standards and service delivery efficiency.
For VA hospitals, maintaining strong CMS ratings also carries broader significance as the department continues efforts to modernise care delivery and strengthen trust among Veterans relying on federal healthcare services.
EOVAHCS said its latest recognition reflects not only clinical performance but also staff commitment across all operational levels. The healthcare system serves Veterans throughout eastern Oklahoma and provides a range of inpatient, outpatient and specialist medical services.
The continued improvement in VA hospital ratings nationwide may also strengthen confidence in publicly funded healthcare delivery models at a time when healthcare systems across the United States are facing workforce shortages, rising operational costs and growing demand for services.
Industry observers note that patient experience and timely access to care have become increasingly important measures within CMS assessments, placing additional pressure on healthcare providers to improve both clinical outcomes and service standards simultaneously.
For EOVAHCS, the latest 5-star designation further positions the organisation as one of the leading-performing VA healthcare systems nationally while reinforcing its reputation for consistent service quality within the Veterans healthcare network.
