Guthrie Cortland Medical Center Earns an "A" Hospital Safety Grade From the Leapfrog Group

Guthrie Cortland Medical Center earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections.  

“This recognition from Leapfrog is an incredible testimony to the determination and commitment to quality that every Guthrie caregiver brings to the hospital each day,” said Jennifer Yartym, President, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. “Our collective pursuit of safe, compassionate care is what allows us to earn the trust patients place in us.”  

“I’m incredibly proud of the caregivers at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center for their unwavering dedication to delivering the highest quality care to our patients,” said Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO of The Guthrie Clinic. “This achievement reflects their commitment to excellence and to the communities the hospital serves, and it reinforces the patient-centered care that defines the Guthrie system.”

For rural communities like Cortland, this “A” grade is especially meaningful because it affirms that high-quality, safe care is available close to home, helping patients and families avoid unnecessary travel and strengthening confidence in local care. It also highlights continued investment in the people and systems that support reliable, timely care. Guided by the patient-first mission Dr. Donald Guthrie introduced to the region in 1910, grounded in teamwork and excellence, Guthrie caregivers carry that legacy forward for Cortland County and surrounding communities.

“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”  

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.  

To explore Guthrie Cortland Medical Center’s full grade details and to find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.