PALM HARBOR, FL – December 4, 2025 – St. Mark Village, an award-winning continuing care retirement community in Pinellas County, has been recognized as among the best in offering senior care again in 2026, according to both Newsweek and US News & World Report. This is the third year in a row the community has earned these accolades.
“Through consistent excellence, compassionate care, and unwavering teamwork, our team continues to set the standard for quality in senior living and healthcare,” said Chief Executive Officer and President Jeff Gorddard. “I’m so proud of our team for once again proving what we all know to be true — that St. Mark Village is home to some of the finest professionals in our field.”
The Newsweek award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2026 were identified through an independent survey which included thousands of participants. The rankings are based on four data sources:
- Evaluation from medical professionals and staff working in the management/administration of CCRCs as well as acquaintances of residents and residents living in CCRCs
- Visitor satisfaction based on facility visitor data provided by Accushield
- Accreditation programs relevant for CCRCs based on the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
- Google reviews as a proxy for overall satisfaction
St. Mark Village is a legacy winner, having secured the accolade every year since the award’s founding.
St. Mark Village also earned its U.S. News Best Nursing Home status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for both Short-Term Rehabilitation and its Long-Term Care. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those that satisfy U.S. News’ proprietary assessment of consistent performance in quality measures. The 2026 U.S. News Best Nursing Homes proprietary ratings feature a significant methodology update, expanding both the Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care ratings to include 17 distinct quality measures each. These measures capture post-acute care quality, nurse staffing consistency and patient-centered outcomes.
“Choosing a nursing facility, whether for post-acute rehabilitation – such as recovering from surgery like a hip replacement, a serious injury like a fracture or managing the aftermath of a stroke – or long-term residency, is one of the most crucial health care decisions a family can make,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “This year’s Best Nursing Homes ratings are the most comprehensive yet, with a significantly expanded portfolio of performance measures that offer families an even more holistic assessment of quality for both short-term rehab and long-term care,” Harder added.
Gorddard was also recently named as a Tampa Bay Titan 100. The Titan 100 is a national program recognizing top CEOs and C-level executives in various regions across the United States. It acknowledges exceptional leadership, vision, passion, and influence in their respective fields. The program aims to foster a community of influential leaders who shape the future of their industries and communities. Gorddard thoughts about leadership traits and the importance of character in leadership were featured in the organization’s video reel. The book that highlights Gorddard and the other Titan 100 award winners for 2025 is accessible here.
To learn more about St. Mark Village, the lifestyle and amenities available, the continuum of care, life care promise, and recent accolades earned, visit stmarkvillage.org.
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About St. Mark Village
In 1977, Pastor James H. Fresh dreamed about a community where residents and team members embraced a wellness approach to body, mind, and spirit wellness. This dream evolved into St. Mark Village, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Palm Harbor, offering the full continuum of healthcare services to over 460 residents. Visit stmarkvillage.org to learn more.
