Viera Hospital has joined an exclusive group of 10 Florida hospitals recognized by Forbes as top performers in the state, according to the publication’s 2026 rankings released in late July. The hospital is the only facility in Brevard County to earn a five-star Overall Hospital Quality Rating, a distinction given to just 2.7% of all U.S. hospitals. The rankings are based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Provider Data Catalog, evaluating hospitals across four areas: patient outcomes, best practices, value and patient experience.
The recognition follows Viera Hospital’s inclusion on Forbes’ national Top Hospitals in America list in March 2026, which also earned the facility a five-star rating. MaryJo Allen, Viera Hospital President, called the achievement a "true testament to the level of dedication and commitment every Viera Hospital physician, nurse, associate and volunteer strives to deliver every day." The hospital is currently working on expansion plans set to begin in 2024, though specific details remain under development.
Forbes evaluated 370 Florida hospitals for its state rankings, with only 10 receiving the highest rating. Hospitals are scored on publicly available data including mortality rates, readmission rates and patient satisfaction surveys. Dr. Jennifer Howes, Viera Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, said the recognition "reflects the exceptional work happening every day across Viera Hospital." The hospital’s performance in patient outcomes and best practices helped it stand out, according to the rankings.
The rankings do not include all hospitals in the state. For example, Florida’s largest hospital systems like Baptist Health and AdventHealth were not named on the list. Viera Hospital’s five-star rating places it in the top 10% of U.S. hospitals for quality. The hospital’s performance in value and patient experience metrics also contributed to its high score, according to Forbes’ methodology.
The rankings come as Viera Hospital continues to grow. Allen said the hospital is "moving forward with growth and expansion plans over the next two years" but declined to provide specifics. The hospital’s latest recognition adds to its reputation as a regional leader in healthcare quality, though it remains the only Brevard County hospital on the Forbes state list.