MetroHealth Named One of America’s Leading Academic Medical Centers by Lown Institute

The MetroHealth System has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, earning the No. 21 spot in the Lown Institute’s 2026 rankings released Aug. 4.

MetroHealth is the only academic medical center in Cleveland ranked among the nation’s top 100 and one of just 95 nationwide to earn an “A” grade. The recognition underscores MetroHealth’s leadership in delivering high-quality care while advancing medical research and educating the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“MetroHealth’s mission has always gone beyond medicine,” said MetroHealth President and CEO Christine Alexander-Rager, MD. “Since the 19th century, we have embraced our responsibility to educate, train and prepare tomorrow’s doctors, nurses and caregivers. And as national leaders in research, we achieve remarkable breakthroughs and then translate discoveries into better health and improved lives for the people of our region, especially our most vulnerable. Thank you to the Lown Institute for recognizing MetroHealth’s place among the nation’s top academic medical centers.”

The academic medical center rankings are based on the same data used in the broader 2026 Lown Hospitals Index released in June. The index evaluated more than 3,600 hospitals and 300 health systems on their social responsibility performance using publicly available data. Overall, 215 academic medical centers were ranked nationally.

In those rankings, MetroHealth earned top distinctions for its commitment to community health and evidence-based care. MetroHealth ranked No. 1 in Ohio for community benefit, racial inclusivity and avoiding overuse. You can learn more here.

Beyond its clinical excellence, MetroHealth continues to expand its impact through research and medical education. Every active staff physician holds a faculty appointment at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, helping train future healthcare professionals while advancing discoveries that improve patient care. MetroHealth offers 54 graduate medical education programs in addition to undergraduate training opportunities.

Continuing its investment in physician education, MetroHealth this summer launched its newest training program, a neurology residency. The program is MetroHealth’s 34th residency or fellowship accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Last year, the health system launched a hematology-oncology fellowship.

“Training the next generation of caregivers and advancing discoveries that improve patient care are fundamental to our mission,” said John Chae, MD, MetroHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer and Case Western Reserve University Senior Associate Dean for Medical Affairs. “That’s why we continue to invest in both academic programs and research. Our residents, fellows and students gain invaluable experience caring for a diverse patient population at a leading safety-net health system while learning alongside faculty who are helping shape the future of medicine.”

MetroHealth’s complete Lown Institute scorecard is available here.