AVALA RECEIVES 2025 PRESS GANEY HUMAN EXPERIENCE GUARDIAN OF EXCELLENCE AWARD®
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 7, 2026
Media Inquiries: Brooke Russell | 985.801.6212 | info@avala.com
Covington, Louisiana – AVALA has been recognized as a 2025 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the global leader in healthcare experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in Patient Experience.
As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award®, AVALA is in the top 5% of healthcare providers in delivering an excellent patient experience in the last year. Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality, and experience of care.
“This recognition belongs to the people who show up for our patients every single day,” said Joy Melgar, MSN, RN, AVALA Chief Nursing Officer. “Real care happens in the small moments. Taking the extra time to educate and making sure patients feel safe and respected. That’s the experience we hold ourselves accountable to at AVALA.”
For many patients, the thought of surgery is met with feelings of fear, uncertainty, and the need for reassurance. That reality shapes how care is delivered from the moment a patient walks through the door.
Every part of the experience is designed with intention. The environment is calm and welcoming, spa-like. The team takes time to listen, explain, and respond so patients never feel rushed or dismissed. Families notice the difference too and often share how supported and at ease they feel throughout the process.
This approach reflects AVALA’s commitment to restoring confidence in healthcare. By focusing on comfort and communication, the team continues to redefine what a healthcare experience can be and why patients believe in the promise to trust healthcare again.
“AVALA is showing what it truly means to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “Their deep commitment to both patients and caregivers is creating a culture where empathy drives action—and where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s a privilege to stand beside them on this journey.”
About Press Ganey
Press Ganey, the leading Human Experience (HX) healthcare performance improvement company, offers an integrated suite of solutions that address safety, clinical excellence, patient experience and workforce engagement. The company works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care. Press Ganey is a PG Forsta company.
