This week, Mission Partners (employees) at OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana learned the hospital achieved Magnet with distinction status, a prestigious designation that shows patients are getting top-notch care.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) administers the Magnet recognition program, evaluating how nursing care at hospitals leads to better patient outcomes and improved workforce development, such as retaining employees. OSF Heart of Mary worked on Magnet status for approximately four years, submitting written materials and culminating with an ANCC site visit last month.
Only a few dozen health care facilities in Illinois have achieved Magnet status, with only a handful of those outside the Chicago area, according to ANCC. Nationwide, only 10% of hospitals are Magnet. Hospitals can be designated as Magnet or Magnet with distinction, meaning OSF Heart of Mary earned the top possible honor. The facility is the first in the 17-hospital OSF Ministry to achieve Magnet with distinction. In October of this year, leaders from OSF Heart of Mary will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to be honored in person at the ANCC Magnet & Pathway Conference.
Resources for reporters:
- Photos and videos from Wednesday’s (7/23/25) ANCC call to OSF informing the hospital of its Magnet achievement are available here.
- Comments from Dr. Deb McCarter, OSF Heart of Mary vice president and chief nursing officer:
Achieving Magnet with distinction reflects our nursing staff’s relentless commitment to excellence, innovation and compassionate patient care. This great honor affirms the strength of the OSF HealthCare nursing culture and steadfast commitment to delivering the highest standards of care to our community every day. I’m immensely proud of our team for earning this prestigious recognition, shared by only 47 other organizations statewide. For the past four years, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of watching this team’s dedication and hard work, and this Magnet with distinction designation is well-deserved.
- Comments from Kelly McPherson, OSF Heart of Mary Magnet program director:
Earning ANCC Magnet recognition is an honor in itself, but to achieve it with distinction is a monumental testament to our entire team’s unwavering commitment to nursing excellence and superior patient care. This designation truly reflects a culture where every nurse is empowered, every decision is evidence-based and every patient receives the highest standard of compassionate care.
The with distinction recognition is awarded to organizations that not only meet Magnet’s stringent standards but also demonstrate exceptional performance in specific areas that signify exemplary nursing practice and innovation. For us, this distinction highlights exceptional patient outcomes, nurse satisfaction, interprofessional collaboration and the adoption of evidence-based practices that directly improve patient well-being.
As Magnet program director, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dedication, innovation and resilience of our nurses and the entire health care team. This achievement isn’t just a plaque. It’s a living example of how our shared governance model, commitment to professional development and focus on continuous improvement directly translate into palpable benefits for our community. It validates our belief that empowered nurses lead to exceptional care.
Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a testament to a health care organization’s commitment to patient safety, quality care and professional development. Research shows that Magnet hospitals consistently outperform non-Magnet hospitals in terms of patient outcomes, nurse satisfaction and retention. The with distinction status further underscores this commitment to top-tier performance.
