City of Hope Earns Its Second Magnet® Recognition Across Southern California Locations

The nation’s leading credential for nursing excellence reflects City of Hope’s commitment to exceptional nursing practice, compassion and interdisciplinary collaboration

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--City of Hope^®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States with its National Medical Center ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report, has earned its second American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program^® designation, the highest international recognition for nursing excellence.

The ANCC formally conferred Magnet^® recognition to City of Hope across its Southern California locations following a rigorous evaluation. Fewer than 10% of hospitals in the United States have achieved Magnet status. Earning this distinction for a second time reflects City of Hope’s sustained leadership in nursing quality, professional practice, and patient-centered care.

City of Hope received 12 exemplars, including 10 linked to empirical outcomes—such as exceptional BSN+ nursing levels, low turnover, strong ambulatory setting nurse-sensitive indicators and high inpatient satisfaction — and two exemplars recognizing extraordinary interprofessional efforts:

• Wildfire Relief – January 2025: During the Southern California wildfires, nursing and interprofessional teams mobilized swiftly to ensure continuity of care and provide critical support — including housing assistance and emotional care — to patients, staff and families.
• Care of the Dying Patient: A clinical nurse–led initiative that strengthened end-of-life care through improved symptom management, enhanced family communication and new resources to support caregivers.

These efforts were evaluated across the Magnet Model’s core components: transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, and new knowledge, innovations and improvements.

“Earning a second Magnet designation is an extraordinary achievement that reflects the expertise, compassion and unwavering commitment of our nurses across Southern California,” said Rachel Start, Ph.D., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., F.A.A.N., Chief Nursing Officer for the National Medical Center, Vice President of Patient Care Services, and Regional Chief Nursing Officer for Orange County and the Clinical Network. “Our teams continually raise the bar for excellence, advancing our mission and elevating the experience of the patients and families we serve.”

City of Hope began its redesignation journey on April 1, 2025, submitting extensive documentation demonstrating performance against more than 100 standards spanning quality, research, education, nurse sensitive indicators and patient and nursing satisfaction.

“Magnet recognition represents the highest benchmark for nursing excellence, and earning this distinction again is a powerful testament to the culture our nurses create every day,” said Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., President, City of Hope Los Angeles and City of Hope National Medical Center. “Their leadership and dedication strengthen every part of our organization and profoundly impact the lives of the people who depend on us.”

By achieving its second Magnet designation, City of Hope joins an elite group of health care organizations internationally recognized for consistently delivering exceptional nursing practice, meaningful patient outcomes and a superior professional environment.

About City of Hope

City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, Orange County, California, campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope^TM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.