FORT IRWIN, Calif.  –   Weed Army Community Hospital has earned the 2025 Leapfrog Top General Hospital Award, marking the first time the Fort Irwin facility has received the national honor. The recognition places the hospital among an elite group of organizations demonstrating exceptional performance in patient safety and quality care.

The Leapfrog Top Hospital Award is one of the most competitive distinctions in the U.S. health care system. Each year, The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog organization based in Washington, D.C., evaluates hospitals using rigorous, evidence-based standards tied to preventing medical errors, reducing infections, ensuring safe maternity care, and improving medication practices. Only a small percentage of hospitals nationwide meet the criteria required to be selected.

Weed Army Community Hospital is one of 18 military treatment facilities across the Military Health System recognized in 2025, spotlighting the dedication of Army Medicine professionals serving at Fort Irwin.

According to LTC Terri Villas, Chief of Quality and Safety, the award reflects the hospital’s commitment to both patient care and military readiness. She noted that achieving high reliability in health care directly contributes to a more medically ready force. “For Army Medicine, quality and safety directly support readiness,” she said. “This award represents disciplined processes, vigilant monitoring, and a team that truly cares about doing the right thing for every patient.”

Villas also acknowledged several leaders whose targeted improvements strengthened hospital performance in measurable ways. “Thanks in part to LTC Maria Bautista for developing a tracker that quantified our bilirubin screening compliance, MAJ Karla Katigbak and MAJ Robert Lehtonen for major improvements in our patient code responses, and MAJ Melissa Tracht for helping us successfully pass our Physician Computer Order Entry system test,” she said. “I’m grateful to everyone who supported this effort as we continue to enhance the care we provide our patients.”

LTC Brando Jobity, Deputy Commander for Nursing, said the award also reflects the strong relationship between the hospital and the community it serves. He emphasized that high-quality care is central not only to clinical outcomes but to the well-being of families across Fort Irwin. “Our commitment to patients drives everything we do,” he said. “Reliable, compassionate care supports not only individual healing but the overall health and readiness of our Soldiers, families, and community. This recognition reflects the trust our patients place in us along with the responsibility we proudly carry.”

The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Survey and Safety Grade programs are nationally recognized for advancing transparency, performance measurement, and patient safety. With only a fraction of hospitals selected each year for Top Hospital status, the award underscores Weed Army Community Hospital’s ongoing pursuit of excellence and continued investment in the health of the Fort Irwin community.