Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colo. earns Magnet Recognition with Distinction for Excellence in Nursing Care

DENVER, CO (PRUnderground) September 17th, 2026

Nurses and leaders at Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital recently celebrated learning the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has awarded the hospital Magnet Recognition with Distinction, the highest honor internationally for nursing excellence and recognition of outstanding safety and innovative care for patients.

This is the third Magnet designation for Saint Joseph Hospital. The hospital received the designation for the first time in 2017. In 2022, the ANCC introduced Magnet with Distinction to honor hospitals that go above and beyond the already rigorous standards of the Magnet Recognition Program. The distinction is reserved for hospitals that meet the highest levels of nursing excellence and quality patient care. Saint Joseph Hospital is the first in Colorado to achieve Magnet with Distinction.

"Being the first hospital in Colorado to receive Magnet Recognition with Distinction is a tremendous honor and a meaningful reflection of the extraordinary compassion, skill and dedication our nurses, along with all our caregivers and leaders, bring to Saint Joseph Hospital every day," said Amy Blasing, Saint Joseph Hospital president. "I am deeply grateful for their commitment to excellence and teamwork. Most importantly, this achievement matters because our patients and families can be confident they are receiving high-quality, evidence-based care from caregivers who continually strive to deliver the very best experience and outcomes."

The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their strategic goals to improve patient outcomes. Magnet facilities meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence and are recognized for lower mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay, and increased patient and staff satisfaction. Magnet facilities are also recognized for creating an exceptional environment for patient care, forward-thinking leadership and systems that empower staff at all levels to have a voice and grow professionally. These organizations actively seek to improve care using research, innovation and continuous improvement.

With this recognition, the nursing teams were specifically recognized for surpassing benchmarks in patient satisfaction, quality of care, nursing job satisfaction, and nursing leadership certifications.

"As someone who began my nursing career at Saint Joseph Hospital, receiving Magnet with Distinction is deeply meaningful," said Amanda Feild, Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital chief nursing officer. "This achievement belongs to our nurses, whose unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care continues to set, and exceed, the standard for our profession. I could not be more proud of our team and all they have accomplished!"

Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Mont., also received Magnet Recognition this year.

Magnet recognition means education and development through every career stage for nurses, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. For patients, it means the assurance of the best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be their best.

With this recognition with distinction, Saint Joseph Hospital is among the leaders in nursing care in the country and globally.

In August, Saint Joseph Hospital was also recognized as the Top Hospital in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report rankings of best hospitals.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a nonprofit health plan called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org/. For more information, see intermountainhealth.org/ or call 801-442-2000.

Original Press Release.