Stillwater Medical received the Healthgrades 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, a national recognition that reflects the hospital’s unwavering commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care to every patient. 

Healthgrades, the leading site Americans use when searching for a doctor or a hospital, annually recognizes hospitals across the country that consistently prioritize patient satisfaction, attentiveness and overall experience. For Stillwater Medical, this recognition is a deeply meaningful validation of years of tireless dedication by each member of the health system team. 

“This award is a reflection of the extraordinary dedication and compassion our team brings to work every single day. Excellence doesn’t happen by chance — it’s the result of countless acts of care, collaboration and commitment by every person on our team. I’m incredibly proud and deeply grateful for each of them,” said Denise Webber, President and CEO of Stillwater Medical.  

From the front desk to the surgical suite, the dietary staff to the emergency department, the entire Stillwater Medical team has worked in harmony to build a culture where patients are not just treated — they are truly cared for. Over the past year, the hospital has implemented several new initiatives designed to improve communication, reduce wait times and create a more welcoming, supportive environment for patients and their families. 

“People may not remember the exact medical treatment they received, but they always remember how they felt in our care,” said Dee Grimmet, a tenured registered nurse in the hospital’s intensive care unit.  

Behind the scenes, hundreds of hours of training, collaboration and system-wide improvement have gone into making Stillwater Medical a standout in patient experience. Staff across departments participated in empathy training, cross-functional workshops and process improvement sessions focused on enhancing the little details that often make the biggest impact — like remembering a patient’s favorite snack or simply taking the time to listen. 

“We have worked hard to ensure we are showing compassion and empathy towards patients, and it is incredibly fulfilling to see it recognized on this level,” said Mary Beth Hunziker, Interim Vice President for Nursing. 

The path to this award was not always easy. Like many hospitals across the country, Stillwater Medical has seen significant shifts in the delivery of healthcare since the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating workforce and supply shortages, and increased patient volumes. But rather than allow those hurdles to compromise care, the team leaned into innovation and resilience. 

Additionally, technology has played a key role in improving patient experience. The hospital upgraded its patient communication platforms, giving patients more immediate access to their health information and providers. Enhanced translation services and accessibility tools were also introduced to ensure inclusivity for all. 

Webber emphasizes the true driver behind this award is not technology or process alone — it’s people. 

“It’s the nurse who meets a patient with compassion, the environmental services employee who takes pride in making every room spotless, the scheduler who greets every call with kindness,” Webber said. “This award is a testament to the culture of our team — the Stillwater Medical family — and their refusal to settle for anything less than excellent care.” 

As the hospital celebrates this milestone, leaders are already looking to the future. Plans are underway to expand patient services, invest in staff development, improve medical record systems and further strengthen the hospital’s connection to the communities of north-central Oklahoma. 

“This is more than a moment of recognition — it’s a promise to our patients that we will continue striving to be better every single day,” Webber added. 

The Outstanding Patient Experience Award may now sit proudly in Stillwater Medical’s lobby, but its real home is in the hearts of those who earned it — and in the lives of the patients who felt truly seen, respected and healed within its walls.