Having any cardiovascular procedure (heart surgery, TAVR, ablation, aneurysm repair etc.) is a big deal. So, it’s important that you and your family can receive exceptional care close to home, where your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
In the latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report, the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center jumped to #16 in the nation for cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery. Moving up 15 spots from last year (31), this recognition underlines our longstanding commitment to providing world-class care, close to home.
Higher rankings are great news for us, but what’s important is what this milestone means for you. This achievement is a testament to the quality, safety, and personal care you and your family can expect to receive at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Measuring what matters: Real patient health results.
This year, U.S. News and World Report made big changes in how it evaluates heart programs across the country. In the past, physician “reputation” survey responses were worth a lot. This year, they’ve removed doctor opinion polls from the specialty rankings.
Patient outcomes now account for 80% of a hospital’s score, which is calculated using 41 distinct health measures—including how complex a patient’s condition was before surgery and how well they do after they leave the hospital. Instead of evaluating how many surgeries a hospital performs, the rankings now focus on how well those surgeries are performed.
This more objective scoring method focuses on what matters to patients:
- Safety and recovery
- Preventing unexpected complications
- Proven health outcomes
By basing most of the score on clinical success, this new ranking system holds hospitals accountable for delivering safe, high-quality medical care.
Related: Read “Patient-centered Treatment for Heart Valve Disease.”
A team effort for your health.
Cardiac surgery is healthcare’s ultimate team sport. A successful surgery relies on clear communication and careful coordination across many different specialties. This includes cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, ICU doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, nursing aides, and support staff such as our nutrition and environmental services teams.
Our commitment to patient safety is backed by exceptional nurses who’ve earned remarkable honors, including ANCC Magnet® Recognition. Earned by only 10% of hospitals nationwide, this acknowledges superior nursing practice and patient care. Study after study has shown that Magnet-designated hospitals have higher patient survival rates and fewer hospital-acquired complications. What’s more, MedStar Washington Hospital Center nursing has also earned the Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialling Center for the third time. In 2026, the award was earned with distinction, the program’s highest honor.
When exceptional nurses and expert doctors work closely together, we can provide high-quality care that doesn’t just meet standard of care guidelines, it pushes them forward.
Related: Read “Patient-centered Teamwork: The Power of Multidisciplinary Heart Care.”
High-tech heart care with a small-town feel.
Through MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, our heart and vascular programs connect 9 MedStar Health Hospitals across Washington, D.C. and Maryland. When you need a major cardiovascular procedure, you don’t have to get on a plane to get world-class care—it’s available right up the beltway.
We are leaders in advanced surgical techniques, complex blood vessel treatments, and innovative therapies, right here in your neighborhood. Yet excellent medical care is about more than machines and techniques.
Our goal is to treat every person in a way that makes them feel cared about, in addition to being cared for. National rankings are a wonderful recognition, especially when they’re an indicator of our success in advancing health for everyone in our community.