UNC Health Rex Receives Fifth Magnet Recognition for Nursing

Top honor earned by fewer than 2 percent of hospitals nationwide

RALEIGH, N.C. – Jan. 6, 2026 – UNC Health Rex recently earned its fifth Magnet designation, a prestigious honor that recognizes the hospital’s nurses and their dedication to providing excellent patient care.

The distinction places UNC Health Rex, with hospitals in Raleigh and Holly Springs, among an elite group, with fewer than 2 percent of U.S. hospitals achieving five or more Magnet designations. Rex is only the second hospital in North Carolina to receive a fifth Magnet designation.

Magnet recognition is the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s highest national credential, given to just over 600 hospitals nationwide. UNC Health Rex became the first Triangle-area hospital to achieve Magnet designation in 2006 and was the first to be re-designated in 2011.

“This honor is driven by the passion, collaboration and professionalism our nurses and teammates bring to patient care every day,” said Nicole Kolacz, UNC Health Rex’s Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President Patient Care Services. “Magnet recognition reinforces our commitment to nursing satisfaction, exceptional quality, and a strong professional practice environment — and it celebrates the culture that makes Rex an outstanding place to give and receive care. This recognition belongs to every nurse and every team member who shows up each day for our patients and for one another.”

The ANCC’s Magnet team noted that Rex nurses earned high “patient experience scores highlighting care coordination, careful listening, providing courtesy and respect, as well as creating a safe, healing environment.”

UNC Health Rex continues to receive numerous accolades as one of the best hospitals in North Carolina from Newsweek, U.S. News, Business North Carolina and others. During 2025, UNC Health Rex was recognized as one of only handful of top, 5-star hospitals in North Carolina by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which measures hospital quality and safety to help consumers make informed choices. UNC Health Rex also earned a top “A” grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group.

About UNC Health

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 20 hospitals, including UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and Holly Springs, and the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine. It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the UNC School of Medicine. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.