Karmanos Cancer Institute Earns Top National Award for 13th Year

DETROIT, MI – December 29, 2025 – For the 13th consecutive year, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been distinguished as one of America's Best Hospitals for Cancer Care, receiving the 2026 Women's Choice Award®. This prestigious honor places Karmanos Cancer Hospital, the institute's patient care enterprise, in the elite top 2% of the more than 4,600 U.S. hospitals evaluated for cancer services.

The award, presented by America's trusted referral source for healthcare, recognizes Karmanos for its comprehensive treatment services, exceptional patient care, and dedication to safety, particularly its low rates of hospital-acquired infections. This consistent recognition since the award's inception underscores the institute's long-standing commitment to excellence in oncology.

"Karmanos' culture is one of serving our patients with respect, integrity and compassion. This recognition reflects the exceptional care that our oncologists and clinical teams provide to our patients," said Brian Gamble, president of Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Cancer Network. "As the only stand-alone cancer hospital in Michigan, and with our National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, we are committed to providing state-of-the-art, compassionate care, and we have a continued dedication to ensuring that our patients are given their best chance."

A Rigorous Standard of Excellence

The Women's Choice Award® sets a high bar for qualification, employing a methodology that combines hard clinical data with patient preferences. To be considered, a hospital must first be accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (ACS CoC) and hold a designation as a specific type of cancer program, such as being an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a status Karmanos proudly holds.

The evaluation process is multifaceted, assessing several key areas:

• Comprehensive Services: The award verifies that the hospital provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment services on-site. This integrated approach minimizes the need for patients to travel between multiple facilities, a crucial factor for women who often manage complex treatment schedules alongside family and work responsibilities.

• Patient Safety: A critical component of the evaluation is the hospital's performance on infection control. Cancer patients, especially those with compromised immune systems due to chemotherapy or surgery, are highly vulnerable to hospital-acquired infections. Karmanos' consistently low infection rates were a significant factor in its recognition. Gamble highlighted this achievement, stating, "Our staff at Karmanos has done a tremendous job in ensuring that safety is a top priority when taking care of our patients and has been consistent in keeping infections related to hospital stays down in every area of care that is involved."

• Patient Recommendations: The award incorporates patient satisfaction scores from the national, standardized HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey. This ensures that the clinical data is balanced with the real-world experiences of patients who have received care at the facility.

Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women's Choice Award and a breast cancer survivor herself, emphasized the award's purpose. "The very first step on a cancer journey is knowing where to go for the best care," Passi said. "We empower women to make confident decisions about where to receive cancer care – for themselves and their loved ones – especially during one of life's most stressful times."

A Commitment to Coordinated, Compassionate Care

Being named one of the 465 hospitals nationwide to earn this award for 2026 highlights Karmanos' dedication to a patient-centered model. The institute's structure as a comprehensive cancer center ensures that care is not just advanced, but also integrated and coordinated across numerous specialties.

This approach aligns directly with what female patients prioritize in their healthcare decisions. According to the Women's Choice Award's primary research, women value accessible and compassionate care that is well-coordinated, reducing the logistical and emotional burden of a cancer diagnosis.

"In addition to high-level performance, our award winners deliver the care women value most—accessible, coordinated and compassionate," Passi added. The recognition serves as a trusted credential, signaling to patients and their families that Karmanos Cancer Institute meets the highest standards of quality and patient satisfaction.

As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan, with a history spanning more than 75 years. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine fosters a dynamic environment for research and education, allowing the institute to define new standards of care and improve survivorship outcomes for patients throughout Michigan and northern Ohio.