Knapp Medical Center Receives 5 Stars For Care Of Heart, Orthopedic & Diabetes Patients

Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, a member of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, has been recognized for 5-star care of heart attack, diabetes, hip fracture, and gall bladder patients.

The recognition from Healthgrades — a national company which specializes in research and information about healthcare — is the latest accolade for Knapp, which serves as the only acute care hospital in the Mid-Valley area, with 227 beds.

Knapp Medical Center’s recognition includes the following:

• 5-Star Recipient for Hip Fracture Treatment for 13 Years in a Row (2013-2025)
• 5-Star Recipient for Gallbladder Removal Surgery for 11 Years in a Row (2015-2025)
• 5-Star Recipient for Treatment of Diabetic Emergencies for 3 Years in a Row (2023-2025)
• 5-Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Attack for 2 Years in a Row (2024-2025)

The five-star ratings reflect Knapp Medical Center’s commitment to consistently deliver the best care possible and place the organization in the upper echelon of hospitals for specialty care nationwide, according to Healthgrades.

Rene Lopez, Chief Executive Officer at Knapp Medical Center, said Knapp’s 5-star ratings are a testament to the work of employees and physicians — who are dedicated to providing the highest-quality healthcare to residents of the Valley, every patient, every time.

“The 5-star ratings indicate the level of commitment our employees have in ensuring our patients receive the best healthcare experience possible,” Mr. Lopez said. “By treating each one of our patients with personalized attention and specialized care, our clinical and non-clinical staff prove each and every day that we are here to care for our community and that we are prepared to meet their healthcare needs.”

Anna Hinojosa, Chief Nursing Officer for Knapp Medical Center, said Knapp’s multiple 5-star ratings are demonstrable proof that patients at the Weslaco hospital are receiving excellent care — and is an important tool for Rio Grande Valley residents to recognize when they weigh their healthcare options.

Knapp Medical Center’s achievements are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care. By offering easy access to objective performance measures, Healthgrades helps consumers find and select a hospital that excels in providing the care they need

As variation in performance among hospitals continues to grow, it is increasingly important for consumers to seek care at top-rated programs. Healthgrades’ 2025 analysis revealed that if all hospitals as a group performed similarly to five-star hospitals during the 2021-2023 study period, on average, 224,958 lives could potentially have been saved and 141,692 complications could potentially have been avoided.*

“Healthgrades commends Knapp Medical Center for their clear commitment to delivering consistently superior patient outcomes in critical service areas, including hip fracture treatment, gallbladder removal surgery, treatment of diabetic emergencies, and treatment of heart attack,” said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. “Knapp Medical Center’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to clinical excellence set a high mark for specialty care in Texas and nationwide.”

In addition to the 5-star recognition from Healthgrades, Knapp Medical Center was one of only three hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley to receive an “A” grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, a national healthcare ratings organization.  The other two hospitals receiving this highest possible grade were Knapp’s sister hospitals in Prime Healthcare, Mission Regional Medical Center and Harlingen Medical Center.

Consumers can visit www.healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality.  Consumers can also access a patient-friendly overview of how Healthgrades rates hospitals and why hospital quality matters here.

For more information on award-winning hospital care in the Valley, please contact Knapp Medical Center at (956) 968-8567 or visit www.KnappMed.org and www.FaceBook.com/KnappMedicalCenter/.

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2021 through 2023 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only.  Click here to view the complete 2025 Specialty Awards and Ratings Methodology.