Stella Maris Celebrates 4-Star CMS Rating, Reinforcing Its Commitment to Excellence in Care

October 13, 2026

A Tradition of Mercy. A Heart of Caring. A Continued Commitment to Quality.

 
TIMONIUM, MD – Stella Maris is proud to announce that it has earned an overall 4 out of 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), marking an exciting achievement for the organization and reflecting its continued dedication to providing high-quality, compassionate care to the individuals and families it serves.

For generations, Stella Maris has been a trusted name in senior care throughout the greater Baltimore community. Rooted in the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, the organization has remained steadfast in its mission while continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of patients, residents, families, and the healthcare industry.

This latest recognition is a testament to that commitment and, most importantly, to the extraordinary team members who bring the Stella Maris mission to life each day.

What Does a 4-Star CMS Rating Mean?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services evaluates nursing homes nationwide through its Five-Star Quality Rating System, providing patients and families with valuable information to help them make informed healthcare decisions.

The overall rating considers three key areas:

• Health Inspections: Evaluating compliance with federal health and safety standards.
• Staffing: Assessing nursing staffing levels and related measures.
• Quality Measures: Examining clinical outcomes and indicators of resident care quality.

An overall 4-star rating indicates above-average quality compared with nursing homes nationwide, reflecting Stella Maris’ ongoing focus on quality improvement, resident safety, and positive outcomes.

A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Innovation

For more than seven decades, Stella Maris has served the community with a commitment to dignity, compassion, and exceptional care.

From comprehensive long-term care services to its state-of-the-art Sister Mary Karen McNally, RSM Rehabilitation Center, featuring 89 private sub-acute rehabilitation rooms, Stella Maris continues to invest in programs, technology, and services designed to enhance the patient and resident experience.

This commitment extends beyond clinical care. It is reflected in the relationships built with families, the collaboration with hospital and healthcare partners, and the dedication of employees who consistently go above and beyond to support those entrusted to their care.

As healthcare continues to evolve, Stella Maris remains focused on meeting the needs of today’s patients and residents while preparing for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

Celebrating the People Behind the Stars

While a 4-star rating is an important achievement, the true measure of Stella Maris’ success is found in the people who make it possible.

From nurses and nursing assistants to rehabilitation therapists, social workers, life enrichment professionals, environmental services, dining services, and countless other dedicated team members, every department plays a meaningful role in delivering the quality care for which Stella Maris is known.

This recognition belongs to the entire Stella Maris family.

It represents the collective efforts of individuals who demonstrate compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, often in ways that cannot be measured by a rating system.

For Lisa Stone, LNHA, Senior Vice President of Operations and Administrator at Stella Maris, the achievement is especially meaningful. With more than 20 years of service to the organization, Stone has witnessed firsthand the unwavering commitment to compassionate, high-quality care that continues to define Stella Maris.

Reflecting on this milestone, Stone shares:

“Throughout my more than 20 years at Stella Maris, I have had the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary compassion and dedication of our staff as they bring our mission to life each day. Walking through our halls each day and witnessing our mission come to life through the care we provide is both humbling and deeply rewarding.

I am incredibly grateful to the families who place their trust in Stella Maris to care for their loved ones. That trust is a responsibility we never take lightly. Our commitment extends beyond delivering exceptional clinical care to ensuring that every resident, patient, and family experiences the compassion, dignity, and peace of mind that have defined Stella Maris for generations.

Achieving a 4-Star CMS rating is a meaningful reflection of our team’s hard work and unwavering dedication to excellence. While we are tremendously proud of this accomplishment, we recognize that our work is never finished. We will continue to raise the bar, strengthen our services, and build upon our longstanding legacy of compassionate, high-quality care because those we serve deserve nothing less than our very best.”

Continuing to Raise the Bar

Earning a 4-star CMS rating is both a milestone worth celebrating and a reminder that excellence requires continued dedication.

Stella Maris remains committed to strengthening clinical outcomes, enhancing the patient and resident experience, supporting its workforce, and building meaningful partnerships with healthcare providers throughout Maryland.

For patients and families navigating important healthcare decisions, this recognition reinforces what generations of families have come to know: Stella Maris is an organization built on compassion, guided by its mission, and dedicated to delivering quality care.

Four stars. One extraordinary team. A tradition of caring that continues to shine.

At Stella Maris, we are proud of how far we have come and even more excited about where we are going.

Experience the Stella Maris Difference

Whether you are exploring short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, or other senior care services, our team is here to provide guidance and support.

Click HERE for more information or call 410-252-4500 ext 7546 to learn more about our services, schedule a tour, or speak with a member of our team.

A Tradition of Mercy. A Heart of Caring.