Mercy Hospital South was recently named a top hospital by an independent healthcare watchdog group.

Mercy Hospital South, 10010 Kennerly Road, earned the Leapfrog Top Hospital Award  Dec. 6 for quality and patient care. Mercy South was named a “top teaching hospital.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization that sets standards for health care safety and quality.

This is the second straight year Mercy South has earned a Leapfrog Top Hospital award. Only 115 hospitals earned the award across the country, and only two in Missouri, including Mercy South and Mercy Jefferson.