Castle Connolly Releases The 2026 Top Hospitals Across the Nation

Rhea-AI Summary

Castle Connolly released its 2026 Top Hospitals list on March 4, 2026, recognizing 1,663 hospitals for overall excellence and strong performance across six specialties and 19 procedures.

Thirty-eight hospitals earned Gold Standard Top Hospitals status, placing them among the top 1% nationwide. The methodology combines recent all‑payor outcomes data with Castle Connolly's Top Doctors evaluations.

Key Figures

Top Hospitals total: 1,663 hospitals Gold Standard hospitals: 38 hospitals Hospital share: top 1% +4 more

7 metrics

Top Hospitals total 1,663 hospitals Recognized for overall excellence and specialties in 2026 list

Gold Standard hospitals 38 hospitals Highest overall performers nationwide in 2026 rankings

Hospital share top 1% Gold Standard hospitals’ position among all hospitals

Specialties covered 6 specialties Scope of Castle Connolly Top Hospitals methodology

Procedures covered 19 procedures Scope of Castle Connolly Top Hospitals methodology

Castle Connolly track record 35 years Legacy of identifying Top Doctors before Top Hospitals program

Consumer influence nearly 60% Consumers indicating hospital rankings influence care choices

Market Reality Check

Price: $41.46 Vol: Volume 10586027 is 7.28x ...

high vol

$41.46 Last Close

Volume Volume 10586027 is 7.28x the 20-day average of 1454021, signaling unusually heavy trading ahead of and around this announcement. high

Technical Price 41.46 is trading above the 200-day MA of 34.34, and sits 17.98% below the 52-week high and 84.68% above the 52-week low.

Peers on Argus

While ZD shows a 48.09% move, peers IAS (0.78%), STGW (6.91%), CRTO (5.7%), QNST...

While ZD shows a 48.09% move, peers IAS (0.78%), STGW (6.91%), CRTO (5.7%), QNST (3.26%), and EEX (4.34%) are positive but far less extreme, indicating a stock-specific move rather than a sector-wide rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 03 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 03	Division sale agreement	Positive	+48.1%	Definitive agreement to sell Connectivity division for <b>$1.2B</b> in cash.
Feb 26	Network performance update	Positive	-2.1%	Fidium reports 250+ top performance rankings in Ookla Speedtest research.
Feb 25	Product launch	Positive	+1.2%	RetailMeNot launches Guaranteed Cash Back at 4,000+ retailers.
Feb 23	Earnings release	Negative	-10.3%	Mixed FY 2025 results with flat EBITDA and guidance deferred during portfolio review.
Feb 02	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-1.1%	Announcement of timing for Q4 and year-end 2025 earnings release and call.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has produced mixed reactions: strategic and product updates sometimes aligned with sharp moves, while operational highlights saw muted or even negative responses.

Recent Company History

Over the last several weeks, ZD has reported FY 2025 revenue of $1.45B with flat Adjusted EBITDA and deferred 2026 guidance, which coincided with a -10.29% move. Product and performance updates from RetailMeNot and Fidium delivered modest and mixed price reactions of +1.24% and -2.06%. The definitive agreement to sell the Connectivity division for $1.2B in cash then preceded a sharp 48.09% move. Today’s Castle Connolly hospital-ranking news sits against this backdrop of portfolio reshaping and selective investor enthusiasm.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Castle Connolly’s 2026 Top Hospitals list, recognizing 1,663 institutio...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Castle Connolly’s 2026 Top Hospitals list, recognizing 1,663 institutions and a select group of 38 Gold Standard hospitals representing the top 1%. It underscores a data-driven approach that blends all-payor outcomes with physician evaluations across 6 specialties and 19 procedures. In the broader ZD context, investors may compare this kind of brand and data asset exposure with recent strategic moves, regulatory filings, and evolving portfolio composition when assessing long-term positioning.

Key Terms

abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, hysterectomy, hip replacement surgery

4 terms

abdominal aortic aneurysm repair medical

"Heart & Vascular SurgeryAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (AAA)Carotid Artery Surgery"

Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is a surgical procedure that fixes a dangerous bulge in the main artery carrying blood from the heart through the belly, either by replacing the weak section with a graft or reinforcing it with a tube-like implant placed through small incisions. Investors care because it drives demand for surgical implants, devices and hospital services, and outcomes, procedure volume and reimbursement rules can materially affect revenue and growth for medical device makers, hospitals and insurers.

coronary artery bypass graft surgery medical

"Carotid Artery SurgeryCoronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)Heart Valve"

A surgical procedure in which a surgeon creates a new pathway for blood to reach the heart by using a healthy blood vessel from elsewhere in the body to bypass a blocked coronary artery—think of it like building a detour around a closed road so traffic (blood) can flow again. It matters to investors because the frequency, cost, recovery time and outcomes of the operation affect hospital and device-maker revenues, demand for related drugs and follow-up care, and can influence long-term healthcare spending and insurer liabilities.

hysterectomy medical

"Obstetrics & Gynecologic SurgeryC-Section SurgeryHysterectomyOrthopaedic SurgeryHip"

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a person’s uterus, sometimes along with nearby reproductive organs, to treat conditions like heavy bleeding, pain, or cancer. For investors, it matters because the number and type of these surgeries influence demand for hospital services, surgical devices, medical supplies, and related drug treatments, similar to how replacing a worn machine part changes ongoing maintenance and supply needs for a factory.

hip replacement surgery medical

"Orthopaedic SurgeryHip Replacement SurgeryKnee Replacement SurgerySpine SurgeryUrologic"

Hip replacement surgery is a medical operation that removes a damaged hip joint and fits an artificial implant so the joint can move smoothly again—like swapping a worn bearing in a machine. Investors track it because procedure volume, device sales, hospital costs, and insurance reimbursement affect makers of implants, hospitals and insurers, and can signal demand for related medical services and long-term healthcare spending.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Castle Connolly's Top Hospitals recognition takes a modern approach to identifying healthcare excellence, reflecting how patients receive care today.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / March 4, 2026 / Castle Connolly today announced the release of Castle Connolly's 2026 Top Hospitals, recognizing the nation's leading healthcare institutions. The list recognizes 1,663 Top Hospitals for their overall excellence and strong performance in six specialties and nineteen procedures.

Castle Connolly Gold Standard Top Hospitals represent the highest overall performers nationwide, with 38 hospitals earning this distinction - placing them among the top 1% of hospitals.

Built on Castle Connolly's 35 year legacy of identifying Top Doctors, Top Hospitals expands that trusted expertise to the hospital level to recognize institutions delivering the highest-quality procedural care in today's evolving healthcare landscape.

The Top Hospitals methodology is built on a comprehensive, outcomes-driven foundation. By integrating recent, all-payor outcomes data with Castle Connolly's rigorous Top Doctors evaluations which center on clinical expertise, the program provides a clear, data-informed view of where high-quality care is being delivered today.

"Evaluating care across all ages and all payors gives us a broader, more current picture than other hospital rankings - showing not just what hospitals do for seniors, but for everyone who depends on them." says Dr. Russell Robbins, MD, MBA, Senior Medical Consultant, Castle Connolly

Castle Connolly recognizes hospitals across six specialties and nineteen procedures, at a national, state and metro level. Including:

Cancer Surgery

• Liver Cancer Surgery

• Lung Cancer Surgery

• Mastectomy

• Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

• Uterine and Ovarian Cancer Surgery

Heart & Vascular Surgery

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (AAA)

• Carotid Artery Surgery

• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)

• Heart Valve Replacement

General Surgery

• Colon Surgery

• Weight Loss Surgery

• Hernia Repair Surgery

Obstetrics & Gynecologic Surgery

• C-Section Surgery

• Hysterectomy

Orthopaedic Surgery

• Hip Replacement Surgery

• Knee Replacement Surgery

• Spine Surgery

Urologic Surgery

• Bladder Removal Surgery

• Prostate Surgery

As healthcare systems grow in size and complexity, patients and providers alike are seeking transparent, data-driven information on hospital quality. Recent research by Castle Connolly shows that nearly 60% of consumers indicate that hospital rankings influence their choice of care - highlighting the growing importance of trusted, accessible quality measures.

"Our goal is to make complex healthcare decisions easier for patients and their healthcare providers. By combining current outcomes data with the vetted expertise of Top Doctors, we highlight hospitals that truly excel in specific procedures, supporting patients in their most critical healthcare decisions." Steve Leibforth, Managing Director Castle Connolly

About Castle Connolly

With over 35 years' experience researching, reviewing and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a highly trusted and credible source. A study published in the Journal of Medical Research found that across several specialties evidence indicates that Castle Connolly's peer-reviewed directory is methodologically more reliable than sites that just relied on patient reviews when it came to identifying quality care. Our mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with best-in-class healthcare providers. For more information, visit https://www.castleconnolly.com.

About the Everyday Health Group

The Everyday Health Group is a leading Pharma Commercialization, Digital Health & Wellness, and Provider Solutions Company for Life Sciences, Hospitals and Health Systems, Health Care Providers (HCPs), and health-seeking Consumers. Our mission is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant information, data and analytics. We empower healthcare providers and consumers with trusted content and services delivered through the Everyday Health Group's world-class brands.

Everyday Health Group is a division of Ziff Davis. (NASDAQ:ZD).

Contact Information

Caroline Baron
Senior Director
publicrelations@castleconnolly.com
(212) 367-8400

SOURCE: Castle Connolly

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did Castle Connolly announce on March 4, 2026 about Top Hospitals and how does it affect ZD investors?

Castle Connolly released its 2026 Top Hospitals list recognizing 1,663 hospitals and 38 Gold Standard winners. According to Castle Connolly, the list uses outcomes and Top Doctors evaluations, offering patients and providers clearer data on hospital procedural quality.

How many hospitals made the Castle Connolly 2026 Top Hospitals list and which are Gold Standard winners (ZD relevance)?

The 2026 list includes 1,663 Top Hospitals, with 38 Gold Standard hospitals in the top 1% nationwide. According to Castle Connolly, Gold Standard denotes the highest overall performers across specialties and procedures.

Which specialties and procedures are included in Castle Connolly's 2026 Top Hospitals list and why should ZD stakeholders care?

The list covers six specialties and 19 procedures, including cancer, heart, orthopaedic, urologic, and obstetrics surgeries. According to Castle Connolly, this breadth helps patients identify high‑quality procedural care across common and complex treatments.

What methodology did Castle Connolly use for the 2026 Top Hospitals rankings and how reliable is it for ZD analysis?

Castle Connolly combines recent all‑payor outcomes data with its Top Doctors evaluations to create an outcomes‑driven ranking. According to Castle Connolly, this integration yields a data‑informed view of where high‑quality care is delivered today.

What does Gold Standard Top Hospitals mean and which hospitals achieved it in 2026 (ZD investor context)?

Gold Standard Top Hospitals denotes hospitals in the top 1% of performance; 38 hospitals earned this distinction in 2026. According to Castle Connolly, Gold Standard identifies the highest overall performers nationwide across measured specialties and procedures.

How might Castle Connolly's 2026 Top Hospitals list influence patient choice and referral patterns relevant to ZD stakeholders?

Castle Connolly reports nearly 60% of consumers say hospital rankings influence their care choice, potentially shifting patient volumes toward ranked hospitals. According to Castle Connolly, clearer rankings aim to simplify critical healthcare decisions for patients and providers.