Fort Sanders Regional Transitional Care Unit Nationally Recognized as a “Best Nursing Home”

November 2025 – For the second consecutive year, the Fort Sanders Regional Transitional Care Unit has been named a “Best Nursing Home” by U.S. News & World Report. The short-term care facility, located within Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional, is part of only 19 percent of skilled nursing facilities in the country that earned a high-performing rating for 2026.

To create the “Best Nursing Homes of 2026” list, U.S. News & World Report evaluated nearly 15,000 nursing homes throughout the country. The Transitional Care Unit was recognized for its high performance in short-term rehabilitation. U.S. News & World Report determined ratings for short-term rehabilitation based on 17 quality measures focusing on nurse staffing, patient outcomes, facility deficiencies and processes of care.

“I am blessed and honored to have the privilege to lead and serve alongside an amazing team at Fort Sanders Regional Transitional Care Unit,” said Pinky Ross, administrator of the Fort Sanders Regional Transitional Care Unit. “Daily, our team has the opportunity to serve our patients during their time of greatest need by promoting healing through compassion and our commitment to quality of care. In alignment with the vision of Covenant Health, our Transitional Care Unit team remains dedicated to providing patient centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence. I am extremely proud of our team’s hard work and dedication. We are honored and grateful to be recognized as one of the nation’s Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News & World Report.”

The Fort Sanders Regional Transitional Care Unit offers extended physical and occupational therapy or skilled nursing care to aid in the shift from hospital to home. The facility is staffed with skilled caregivers, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, case managers, therapists and activities coordinators.

“I am so proud of Pinky’s outstanding leadership and the entire Transitional Care Unit team at Fort Sanders Regional,” said Tab Culbertson, president and chief administrative officer of Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional. “Their compassion, skill and dedication to serving patients is what makes this recognition as one of the nation’s Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News & World Report possible. This honor reflects our ongoing commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence and helping patients transition successfully from hospital to home.”

Claiborne Health and Rehabilitation Center, a sister facility of the Fort Sanders Regional Transitional Care Unit, was also recognized for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.

U.S. News & World Report is a global leader in journalism. To view the full list of “Best Nursing Homes of 2026” or read more about the methodology, visit https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes.

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About Fort Sanders Regional Transitional Care Unit

The Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional helps make patients’ shift from hospital to home as easy as possible. A short-term facility, the Transitional Care Unit is located on the 9th floor of the hospital and has a registered nurse on duty around the clock. Skilled caregivers also include licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, case managers, therapists and activities coordinators. Learn more on our website.