UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies Earns Fourth Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence
UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland received its fourth consecutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center on October 27, placing the hospital among fewer than 10 percent of U.S. hospitals to earn the nationally recognized mark of nursing excellence.
David Marshall, chair of the ANCC Commission on Magnet Recognition, announced the unanimous commission vote during a virtual call with hospital staff and leadership. Confetti cannons and cheers erupted as Marshall confirmed the re-designation.
The Magnet Recognition Program represents the highest national standard for nursing excellence and quality patient care. Hospitals must undergo rigorous evaluation and demonstrate superior outcomes in patient care, nursing satisfaction, and clinical performance to earn the designation.
Hospital Outperforms National Benchmarks
Marshall praised MCR for exceeding national benchmarks in several critical areas, including infection prevention and patient safety across all inpatient units, patient experience particularly in education and safety, and higher education levels among nursing staff. Eighty-three percent of MCR's registered nurses hold bachelor's degrees or higher, according to hospital data from the ANCC.
MCR first earned Magnet designation in 2010, which included a two-year monitoring phase plus a four-year designation term. The hospital secured re-designations in 2016, 2021 and now 2025, maintaining an unbroken record since first becoming eligible.
"You're having an impact on our community," said Kevin Unger, president and CEO of UCHealth's Northern Colorado Region. "When you look at what you're achieving from a patient experience and clinical outcomes perspective, you should be very, very proud of what you're doing."
Research consistently demonstrates Magnet hospitals achieve lower mortality rates, fewer hospital-acquired infections, reduced patient falls and pressure ulcers, higher nurse job satisfaction, and better patient experiences compared to non-designated facilities, according to studies published by the National Institutes of Health.
Sustained Excellence Through Expansion
Since MCR's last re-designation in 2021, the hospital has expanded critical care services, earned Level I Trauma Center status, and launched an interventional program for thrombectomy stroke care. The hospital is also preparing to open a new inpatient pavilion in 2026.
Chief Nursing Officer Jessie Willard emphasized the team's resilience through four years of significant change. "We can't do what we do to provide patient care without every single person in this hospital," Willard said. "Even though change has been constant, our resilience and grit has never wavered."
The re-designation process required extensive documentation demonstrating examples, evidence, and data outcomes. The program mandates hospitals outperform national benchmarks in patient satisfaction, nurse satisfaction, and health outcomes that demonstrate nursing care impact.
A three-day site visit with ANCC Magnet appraisers validated the hospital's practices and performance. The designation lasts four years before hospitals must reapply and undergo full evaluation to maintain status, according to ANCC program requirements.
Regional Magnet Recognition
Currently, 18 Colorado hospitals hold Magnet designation, including four at UCHealth. UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital received six designations, most recently in 2023. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital also received six designations, most recently in January 2025. UCHealth Memorial Hospital received its first designation in 2023.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center launched the Magnet Recognition Program in 1990 based on a 1983 study identifying hospitals with features attracting and retaining nurses linked to better patient care. The program credentialed its first hospital in 1994.
Only about 599 hospitals worldwide hold the designation, representing roughly 9 to 10 percent of U.S. hospitals, according to ANCC data. The rarity underscores the prestige and commitment required to achieve and maintain Magnet status.
UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies serves Larimer and Weld county residents with emergency care, surgery, oncology, cardiology and specialized medical services. The Loveland hospital is part of UCHealth's northern Colorado region, which recently completed its affiliation with Estes Park Health on November 1.