UNC Health Lenoir Receives the 2026 Women’s Choice Award®
as one of the Best Hospitals for Outpatient Experience

UNC Health Lenoir has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Outpatient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award®, placing it among the top hospitals in the country for the care patients receive outside of an overnight stay.

As healthcare continues to evolve, more procedures are being done on an outpatient basis thanks to advances in technology and minimally invasive treatments. With that shift comes a greater focus on making the experience as smooth, coordinated, and patient-friendly as possible, from scheduling and communication to comfort and follow-up care. 

“Overnight hospital stays can be stressful and costly,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award®. “With more procedures now available on an outpatient basis, it’s essential that women, who often juggle demanding schedules, can easily identify hospitals that offer safe, convenient and compassionate care.”

The Women’s Choice Award for Outpatient Experience is the only national recognition that looks at patient satisfaction, clinical quality, and what matters most to women when it comes to healthcare decisions.

To earn the award, hospitals must be accredited by a nationally recognized organization and perform at or above the national average in key outpatient patient-experience measures. These include how patients rate their interactions with staff, how well care is coordinated before and after procedures, overall facility ratings, and whether patients would recommend the hospital to others. Survey results are weighted based on extensive research into women’s healthcare preferences.

UNC Health Lenoir is one of only 450 hospitals nationwide to receive this honor for 2026.

“We are committed to providing high-quality care along with an exceptional experience for every patient,” said Dr. Crystal Hayden, President and CEO of UNC Health Lenoir. “Our outpatient services are among the strongest in the region, and we are proud of the continued efforts our teams make to ensure our community receives the best possible care and outcomes.”