Naples, FL., May 20, 2024 — NCH Rooney Heart Institute proudly announces its latest achievement in cardiac care excellence, earning the prestigious designation of three stars in isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the year 2023 by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). This remarkable accomplishment marks the 12th consecutive year that NCH has received this esteemed distinction for CABG procedures and the first time in five years we have received three stars for AVR.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) analyzed patient data spanning from calendar years 2021 through 2023 to evaluate and recognize hospitals across the nation for their exceptional cardiac surgical outcomes.  Historically, 20% of STS Database participants receive the three-star rating for CABG, and only 3% – 6% of participants receive the three-star rating for AVR surgery. NCH Rooney Heart Institute’s consistent dedication to superior patient care and surgical expertise has once again been acknowledged through this significant recognition.

This recognition underscores NCH Rooney Heart Institute’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality of cardiac care to our patients. Already ranked third in the state of Florida by Healthgrades for our cardiac services, we are deeply proud of this latest achievement and what it signifies for the well-being of cardiac patients in our community and beyond.

“Earning the top designation of three stars in aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting for the 12th consecutive year is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our exceptional team of cardiac surgeons, nurses, and support staff,” said Robert J. Cubeddu, MD, Medical Director at NCH Rooney Heart Institute.  “This achievement reaffirms our commitment to delivering outstanding care and outcomes to every patient we serve.”

“Dr. Stephen D’Orazio, Dr. Brian Solomon, myself and our entire team, have dedicated ourselves wholeheartedly to delivering exceptional cardiac care to this community,” said Robert Pascotto, MD, Cardio Thoracic Surgeon, NCH Rooney Heart Institute.  “It is truly gratifying to receive this recognition.”

“The Society of Thoracic Surgeons congratulates STS National Database participants who have received three-star ratings,” said David M. Shahian, MD, chair of the Task Force on Quality Measurement. “Participation in the Database and public reporting demonstrates a commitment to quality improvement in health care delivery and provides patients and their families with meaningful information to help them make informed decisions about health care.”

“This recognition by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons is yet another testament to the exceptional quality of care offered at NCH,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO, NCH.  “We are proud of the dedication and expertise of our entire team at NCH Rooney Heart Institute, whose unwavering commitment to excellence continues to earn national recognition and, most importantly, positively impacts the lives of our patients.”

NCH Rooney Heart Institute remains steadfast in its mission to advance cardiac care excellence, continually striving to innovate and elevate standards in cardiovascular surgery to improve patient outcomes and enhance overall quality of life.

About NCH

NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 100 Hospitals which puts it in the top 2% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top-3 in the state by Healthgrades while CMS has rated both NCH hospitals as 4-Star. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.

About STS

Founded in 1964, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 7,700 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. Society’s mission is to improve the lives of patients with cardiothoracic diseases.