AHN Jefferson Hospital Earns Magnet® with Distinction, Recognizing Highest Level of Nursing Excellence

Jefferson Hospital is only the second hospital in Pennsylvania to achieve prestigious designation and one of fewer than 100 U.S. hospitals recognized

Jefferson Hills, Pa. (September 25, 2026) - Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Jefferson Hospital has earned Magnet with Distinction™ honors from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), an elite level of recognition within the Magnet Recognition Program® and a designation reserved for the highest-performing Magnet® organizations.

The achievement marks AHN Jefferson Hospital's second Magnet designation and places the South Hills hospital among an exclusive group of hospitals worldwide that have been recognized for nursing excellence, innovative professional practice, quality patient outcomes and a strong culture of collaboration. AHN Jefferson is also one of only two hospitals in Pennsylvania and first in the western PA region to achieve Magnet with Distinction.

Magnet with Distinction recognizes organizations that exceed the rigorous performance thresholds required to achieve Magnet designation. The ANCC describes the distinction as recognizing the highest-performing Magnet organizations around the world and notes that only the top 1% of Magnet hospitals achieve this level of performance. This is less than 100 hospitals nationally and sets a high standard.

In addition to receiving Magnet with Distinction, AHN Jefferson Hospital earned 10 exemplars, which highlight specific examples of excellence in patient experience, quality, and nursing engagement that demonstrate the depth and breadth of the organization's commitment to advancing patient care.

"Magnet with Distinction is a tremendous achievement for Jefferson Hospital and, most importantly, for the nurses and entire care team who made this recognition possible," said Chong Park, MD, President of AHN Jefferson Hospital. "This distinction reflects the dedication our teams bring to our patients every day. It demonstrates what is possible when nurses, physicians and every member of the care team work together with a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and compassionate, patient-centered care. I am incredibly proud of our Jefferson team and the standard they continue to set for our community."

The ANCC's Magnet appraisal team recognized AHN Jefferson's strong culture of collaboration and described a "strong sense of family and interprofessional collaboration" throughout the organization. During the Magnet evaluation, the team engaged with 290 nurses and additional members of the AHN Jefferson workforce, noting an engaged staff that demonstrated pride in the organization, actively pursued professional growth and expressed a strong passion for the care they provide to patients.

"Magnet with Distinction is a reflection of the incredible work happening every day at Jefferson, particularly at the bedside," said Joy Peters, Chief Nursing Officer at AHN Jefferson Hospital. "Our nurses have embraced professional growth, shared decision-making, innovation and collaboration as essential parts of how we care for our patients. To have that work recognized at this level is an extraordinary honor. I am especially proud of our frontline nurses, whose ideas, leadership and commitment to improving care are at the heart of this achievement."

AHN Jefferson Hospital's nursing team includes more than 670 nurses providing care across inpatient and outpatient settings. Nurses work alongside more than 400 physicians, ancillary service providers and support departments across the 341-bed community hospital.

The Magnet recognition builds on AHN Jefferson's first Magnet designation in 2021 and reflects the continued evolution of its nursing practice and patient care.

AHN Jefferson's latest achievement adds to a long list of recognitions for quality and patient-centered care. The hospital has been recognized for excellence in cardiovascular, stroke, perinatal, maternity, bariatric, orthopedic and other areas of care. "This recognition is a milestone in AHN Jefferson's history. Our roots in the South Hills run deep, and so does our commitment to those we care for," Peters said. "This honor belongs to every team member who champions a culture of excellence and makes a daily difference for our patients, caring for them like family."

Currently, AHN has four Magnet hospitals and one pathway designated with progress for three more in 2027.

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About Allegheny Health Network
Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org) is an integrated health care delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The network is composed of 16 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness Pavilions, an employed physician organization, home- and community-based health services, a research institute, and a group purchasing organization. AHN provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, cardiovascular disease, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women's health, diabetes and more. AHN employs approximately 27,000 people, has 3,000 physicians on its medical staff, and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Media Contact

Sarafina Brooks James
Allegheny Health Network
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