The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain has earned a five-star rating — the highest score possible in the 2025 hospital quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program measures hospitals nationwide on mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, and timeliness of care. Medical Center Director Dr. John Shealey says the honor reflects the staff’s dedication, adding their goal is to keep raising the bar for veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. Staff credit the rating to several recent changes: a stepped discharge process that cut readmissions, a partnership with Madison VA for vision evaluations, expanded use of a Pain Management Hub to reduce wait times, and more telehealth for rural veterans. Officials say those innovations are already improving outcomes for veterans across the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin.