Salisbury VA Medical Center earns second straight 4-star CMS rating
SALISBURY - The W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center has received a 4-star rating in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' 2026 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, marking the second consecutive year the Salisbury VA Health Care System has earned the distinction.
The annual CMS ratings evaluate hospitals nationwide on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmissions, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Ratings range from one to five stars, with higher scores reflecting stronger performance in quality measures.
Charles "Dave" Collins, acting executive director of the Salisbury VA Health Care System, said the recognition reflects the work of staff across the organization.
"Receiving a 4-star rating from CMS is a reflection of the dedication our entire team brings to caring for veterans every day," Collins said in a statement. "This rating underscores our commitment to delivering safe, timely and high-quality care, and we are proud to contribute to VA's continued nationwide excellence."
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 78% of VA hospitals that received a CMS rating in 2026 earned either four or five stars. The agency said this is the fourth consecutive year VA hospitals have outperformed non-VA facilities in the rankings and the second straight year no VA hospital received a one-star rating.
The percentage of VA hospitals receiving four- or five-star ratings has increased sharply in recent years, rising from 58% in 2024 to 77% in 2025 and 78% in 2026, according to VA data.
The Salisbury VA Health Care System also highlighted broader national initiatives undertaken by the VA in the past year, including enrolling more than 125,000 new veterans in VA healthcare during 2026 and opening 35 new healthcare facilities since January 2025.
The VA also reported completing more than 82 million direct care appointments during fiscal year 2025, an increase of 4.1% over the previous year, while offering more than 2.5 million appointments outside normal operating hours.
The Salisbury VA Health Care System serves veterans across central and western North Carolina. Its mission, according to the agency, is to fulfill President Abraham Lincoln's pledge "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan."
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 5:44 AM.