U.S. News and World Report names RUMC “High Performing Hospital” for third consecutive year American Heart Association bestows Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Gold award
Richmond University Medical Center’s comprehensive cardiovascular care services have earned national recognition for quality care and patient safety. For the third consecutive year, RUMC has been named a “High Performing Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report for its care of patients experiencing congestive heart failure. Of 6,000 hospital’s evaluated, RUMC is one of only 1,090 hospitals nationwide to earn the designation. RUMC also received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Gold award in recognition of its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.
“This is an incredible achievement for our team,” Chief of RUMC’s Cardiovascular Department Francesco Rotatori, MD, FACC, said. “Earning these awards involves many players. Each one of these medical professionals has shown an unmatched dedication to their patients and are truly deserving of praise for achieving these wonderful recognitions.”
U.S. News & World Report Award
This latest recognition from U.S. News & World Report marks the third consecutive year that the “High Performing Hospital” award has been bestowed on RUMC for its cardiovascular services. Over 6,000 hospitals across the United States were evaluated and eligible hospitals received one of three ratings: high performing, average, or below average. A hospital’s congestive heart failure score is based on multiple data categories, including patient outcomes, volume, advanced heart programs and more. Hospitals that earned a “High Performing Hospital” rating were significantly better than the national average.
The “High Performing Hospital” designation was earned by 1,090 hospitals, including RUMC. A total of 1,666 hospitals received an average rating and 1,316 hospitals below average. The balance of hospitals did not receive a rating either because they either do not offer congestive heart failure services or treat too few patients to be rated.
“For us as an Emergency Department staff, we are proud to know that the excellent cardiac care we are providing in the emergency department is continued by our inpatient colleagues,” Johnathon LeBaron, DO, MBA, FACEP, Chair of the hospital’s Emergency Medicine Department, said. “We want and expect the best outcomes for our patients and our community. This award, earned for three consecutive years now, shows that we are indeed providing that care here at RUMC.”
American Heart Association Award
Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. experience a STEMI heart attack, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery. Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible. Recognition by the American Heart Association as a STEMI Receiving Center showcases RUMC’s 24/7 support for STEMI patients. The STEMI Receiving Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for STEMI care as outlined by the American Heart Association.
“The American Heart Association award highlights the incredible, lifesaving work we provide here at RUMC,” Dr. LeBaron said. “Our STEMI award serves to show that the countless hours of work we put in behind the scenes, coordinating nursing and physician care, collaborating across specialties, is working to ensure that patients receive the best care. When patients present with a heart attack, they can feel reassured knowing that they are receiving the best cardiac care possible, as fast as possible, to quickly treat their condition and get them back to their loved ones.
New Heart and Vascular Institute at RUMC Coming Soon
RUMC’s award winning Cardiovascular Department will soon be housed inside the hospital’s new Joan and Alan Bernikow Heart and Vascular Institute. The new institute will feature a state-of-the-art recovery unit and hybrid cardiac catheterization lab allowing the center’s team to perform angioplasty procedures and neurovascular procedures, including brain coiling for strokes and cerebral aneurysms. Housed within the lab will be new $1.8 million biplane imaging technology. The new center is scheduled to open in 2026.
Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving the ethnically diverse community of Staten Island and its neighbors. We provide premier-quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services. We do this in an environment that promotes the highest satisfaction among patients, families, physicians and staff. For more information call 1-718-818-1234 or visit www.rumcsi.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
