Top “Leapfrog” score reflects high level of healthcare for Mid-Valley patients
WESLACO, Nov. 2025 – Knapp Medical Center has been awarded an “A” for patient safety for the fall of 2025from the Leapfrog Group, a national healthcare ratings organization.
This national distinction recognizes Knapp Medical Center as being among the top hospitals in the nation in protecting patients from preventable harm and errors.
The Leapfrog Group assigns a grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” to general hospitals across the country – using evidence-based measures of patient safety which are focused on preventing errors, accidents, injuries and infections. Knapp Medical Center received an “A” for its commitment to keeping patients safe and meeting the highest safety standards in the United States, according to the Leapfrog Group.
“Earning an ‘A’ Grade means Knapp Medical Center made a true commitment to put patient safety first,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We congratulate the leadership, board, clinicians, staff and volunteers that all had a role to play in this achievement.”
Rene J. Lopez, MD, FACHE, RRT, CEO for Knapp Medical Center, said the hospital’s recognition is a testament to the work of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing “the highest-quality healthcare to residents of the Mid-Valley – every patient, every time.”
“This outstanding grade is a demonstration of the level of commitment our physicians and employees have in ensuring that our patients receive safe, high-quality, compassionate, and personalized care,” Mr. Lopez added.
“At Knapp Medical Center, we are all committed to patient safety and to creating an exceptional patient experience,” Mr. Lopez added. “And, that includes ensuring we effectively communicate with our patients, ensuring we are responsive to their needs, and ensuring we provide a safe, quiet and clean environment during their stay with us.”
Pablo Loredo III, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Knapp Medical Center, said the recognition helps demonstrate the excellent care that is being provided to patients at Knapp — and is an important factor for residents to recognize when they weigh their healthcare options.
“Leapfrog grades hospitals the same way a teacher grades students: ‘A’ hospitals keep patients the safest, while lower grades mean more risks of preventable errors or infections,” Mr. Loredo said.
Knapp’s sister hospitals in Prime Healthcare, Mission Regional Medical Center and Harlingen Medical Center, also received an “A” grade.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries, which kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. The Leapfrog program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
To view the full details on Knapp Medical Center’s Leapfrog grade — and for tips on staying safe while in the hospital — please visit www.HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
For more information on award-winning patient care in the Mid-Valley, please visit www.KnappMed.org.
ABOUT KNAPP MEDICAL CENTER
Knapp Medical Center is an award-winning, not-for-profit hospital in Weslaco, Texas. With 227 beds, the community hospital specializes in emergency care, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, wound care, surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology, critical care, and interventional radiology. Knapp serves as the only acute care hospital in the Mid-Valley area, as well as Weslaco’s only Level IV Trauma Center, Advanced Primary Stroke Center, and Level II Newborn Nursery.
Knapp has been providing quality and compassionate healthcare to Mid-Valley residents for 60 years, since 1962. More than 300 physicians serve on the hospital’s medical staff. Knapp also serves as one of the largest employers in the Mid-Valley, employing more than 500 people. For more information, please call 956-968-8567 or visit www.KnappMed.org or www.FaceBook.com/KnappMedicalCenter/.