Beacon Kalamazoo Joins Elite Group of Top-Ranked Michigan Hospitals
Beacon Kalamazoo has achieved the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, placing the hospital in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety. This recognition makes Beacon Kalamazoo one of only eight hospitals in Michigan to receive this prestigious honor in 2026.
The hospital has also been named one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for overall clinical care, becoming the only Michigan hospital to receive both the America's 100 Best Hospitals and the Patient Safety Excellence Awards in 2026.
We are honored to receive this award, said Carl Risk, President of Beacon Kalamazoo. This recognition reflects the daily commitment to a culture of safety by all our physicians, caregivers and associates for each patient who comes through our doors for care.
Patient Outcomes Drive National Recognition
Beacon Kalamazoo's achievement is based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates from approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide across 13 patient safety indicators, with each indicator representing a serious, preventable complication.
The hospital has also been recognized for exceptional patient outcomes in key service areas:
- Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery (2026)
- Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery (2025-2026)
- Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery (2025-2026)
- Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care (2020-2026)
Workforce Changes Occur Simultaneously
While Beacon Kalamazoo celebrates this national recognition, the healthcare system is also undergoing significant workforce changes. More than 250 contracted workers employed at various Beacon Health locations across Southwest Michigan will lose their jobs come July 1, according to a report from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
Compass Group USA, Inc. is laying off 262 workers employed at the following Beacon facilities:
- Beacon Allegan Hospital
- Beacon Health & Fitness Center in Kalamazoo
- Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo
- Beacon Lee Hospital in Dowagiac
- Beacon Pipp Hospital in Plainwell
Beacon Health System is bringing nutritional, environmental and transport services in-house at Beacon Kalamazoo, Beacon Allegan, Beacon Dowagiac and Beacon Plainwell hospitals, as well as Beacon Health & Fitness Kalamazoo, effective July 1, 2026, upon conclusion of an agreement with Georgia-based TouchPoint Support Services, a spokesperson with Beacon Health System sent News Channel 3.
Types of Jobs Impacted
The layoffs affect a wide range of positions including food service workers, cooks, patient services staff, retail managers, dieticians, housekeepers, administrative assistants, custodians, supervisors, and more.
The reason for company action listed in four of the five WARN letters read: Compass Group USA, Inc. recently determined that its contract to provide services to Beacon Health and Fitness Center will be coming to an early termination due to the sale of the client's business. This event will, unfortunately, result in the closure of our entire operations at this account and directly impact our staffing.
What This Means for Patients and Staff
The in-house transition means Beacon Health System will manage these services directly rather than relying on external contractors. This change is expected to provide more stability and control over the quality of services provided to patients across the Southwest Michigan region.
Local health system officials say the decision comes after careful consideration of what best serves the community and patients. The transition to in-house operations represents a strategic move to consolidate services under one organization and maintain consistent standards of care.
A Dual Narrative of Excellence and Transition
Beacon Kalamazoo's simultaneous receipt of national patient safety honors while managing workforce restructuring highlights the complex challenges facing healthcare organizations today. The hospital continues to deliver world-class patient care while adapting its operational model to better serve Southwest Michigan's healthcare needs.
The Patient Safety Excellence Award validates decades of commitment to clinical excellence, while the workforce changes reflect the evolving nature of healthcare delivery in the region. Both developments underscore Beacon Health System's dedication to serving its community, whether through award-winning clinical outcomes or strategic operational changes.