The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center has once again been recognized among the nation’s top-performing hospitals, earning a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in its 2025 hospital quality ratings. It is the third straight year the Wichita facility has received the highest possible score.
CMS’s ratings are based on five categories — mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care. Hospitals receive a score from one to five stars, with five indicating superior performance across the quality measures.
In the past year, Dole VA implemented several initiatives to strengthen care for Veterans, including refining follow-up processes for patients discharged from acute mental health treatment, engaging experts to provide targeted education in areas needing improvement, and enhancing conversations with Veterans about stress management.
“These ratings highlight the excellent care Dole VA provides,” said Medical Center Director Michael Payne. “Our job is to continue raising the bar for customer service and convenience throughout the department, so Dole VA works better for the Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving.”
Nationwide, CMS reported that 77 percent of VA hospitals receiving an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating earned four or five stars in 2025. No VA hospitals received a one-star rating, and more than 90 percent of VA hospitals maintained or improved their standing from 2024.
The full CMS star ratings and methodology are available online.