For the fifth consecutive time, The Valley Columbia Heart Center has received the highest designation given to hospitals – a three-star rating for quality of heart surgery – by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Nationwide, only 12 percent of heart centers attain this level, which is a designation recognizing quality and clinical excellence.

This prestigious designation was conferred as part of a comprehensive rating system that compares the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country. Nearly 750 hospitals participated in the quality review.  

The Valley Columbia Heart Center is a program of The Valley Hospital, the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System, and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. 
“The fact that Valley consistently earns the three-star designation is just further evidence that patients who undergo cardiac surgery at Valley receive outstanding clinical care along with the wonderful caring environment that we are known for,” says Alex Zapolanski, M.D., director of The Valley Columbia Heart Center. “The three-star rating conferred by the STS, a society of heart surgery specialists, is widely regarded by clinicians as the gold standard by which to evaluate cardiac surgery programs.”