Awards & Recognition

2023

• Washington Commanders selected VHC Health as its women’s health partner because of the health system’s continued commitment to advancing women’s health, reducing the stigma of mental health, and creating greater access to care in the Washington, DC metro region.
• Awarded the CHIME Most Wired Recognition for 2023 as a certified level 9 for acute and ambulatory services. Organizations designated as level 9 or 10 are considered industry leaders who drive digital change in the healthcare industry in order to create better health outcomes for patients.
• Received a top ranking in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals for the fourth year in a row. Ranking over 2,800 hospitals in 28 countries, this study asked 85,000 medical experts across the world to participate in an online survey covering topics such as recommendation of hospital, satisfaction of patient care, quality of care for specific treatments, among other factors.
• Recognized by the Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospital in eight categories: bariatric surgery, obstetrics, heart care, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedics, cancer care, comprehensive breast care, women’s services, mammogram and patient experience. This award is graded based on the best publicly available information, patient surveys and accreditation information, and the Women’s Choice Award delivers a simplified, objective ranking to each category.
• Named a 2023 Best Cancer Hospital by Newsweek. One of 175 hospitals and just three in the Washington, DC metro region to be included in the rankings.
• Named best hospital for billing ethics by Money magazine and The Leapfrog Group. This is the first-ever Leapfrog Best Hospitals ranking to help patients make educated decisions about which institutions are best for the money.

2022

• Awarded an 'A' for the Fall 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade rating. This is VHC Health's 21st consecutive 'A' Hospital Safety Grade, making it one of 30 hospitals in the nation and only 6 in Virginia to have reached this status.
• Successful Joint Commission re-certification of VHC Health/Virginia Hospital Center. 
• Earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers.
• Recognized by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy in all settings. VHC Health's Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center is one of roughly 600 endoscopy units granted the recognition since 2009.
• Named a Best Hospital for Billing Ethics by Money magazine and The Leapfrog Group. This is the first-ever Leapfrog Best Hospitals ranking to help patients make educated decisions about which institutions are best for the money.
• Received Digital Health Most Wired recognition from the 2022 College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) as a level 9. This ranking places VHC Health in the top 25% of the “performance excellence” category of health systems in the nation.
• Recognized as a top hospital in both Virginia and Washington, DC in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 “Best Hospital” rankings. VHC Health also earned commendations for its exceptional performance in several key procedure and specialty areas. VHC Health ranked No. 7 in Washington, DC area and No. 12 in Virginia. The ranking highlighted VHC Health’s high performance in eight procedure and condition specialty areas including heart attacks, heart failure, colon cancer surgery, kidney failure, strokes, hip fractures, hip replacements, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• One of only 148 hospitals to be included on the inaugural Best Hospitals in America ranking by digital platform Money and healthcare nonprofit The Leapfrog Group.
• Achieved the Healthgrades 2022 Outstanding Patient Experience AwardTM.  VHC Health is the only hospital in the Washington, DC region and in the state of Virginia that has received the Outstanding Patient Experience AwardTM for 11 consecutive years.
• Received the following 2022 Women’s Choice Awards®:
  • America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
  • America's Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery
  • America's Best Hospitals for Cancer Care and Comprehensive Breast Center
  • America's Best Hospitals for Heart Care
  • America's Best Hospitals for Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • America's Best Hospitals for Obstetrics
  • America's Best Hospitals for Orthopedics
  • America's Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
  • America's Best Hospitals for Women's Services
  • Women's Choice Award for Mammogram Center
• Awarded an “A” in the spring 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, recognizing achievements in patient safety. This is VHC Health’s 20th consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade and VHC Health is one of 33 hospitals in the nation and only seven in the state of Virginia to have reached this status.
• Received the following BCBS – Blue Distinction recognition:
  • Blue Distinction Plus - Bariatrics
  • Blue Distinction Plus - Cardiac Care
  • Blue Distinction - Knee/Hip Replacement
  • Blue Distinction Plus - Maternity Care
  • Blue Distinction Plus - Spine Surgery
• Received the following Aetna Institutes of Quality Recognition: 
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Cardiac - Medical 
  • Cardiac - Rhythm
  • Cardiac - Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Orthopedic Care (Total Joints) 
• Received the following Cigna Centers of Excellence designation:
  • Cardiac Catherization and Angioplasty
  • Colon Surgery
  • Heart Surgery(coronary artery bypass surgery & heart valve surgery)
• Received the following CareChex Awards for quality performance:
  • Top 100 in the Nation for Medical Excellence in Major Cardiac Surgery and Coronary Bypass Surgery
  • Top 10% in the Nation for Medical Excellence in Overall Surgical Care
• Received the Optum Bariatric Center of Excellence distinction.

Accreditation & Certification

• VHC HealthTM Nurse Residency Program was awarded PTAP Accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
• Our Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center completed another successful tri-annual Joint Commission Survey.

Notable Achievements

• VHC Health announced a multimillion-dollar investment to advance the health of women in our community. The female physician-led advancement includes dedicating 26,000 square feet for Women’s Health services in the new Outpatient Pavilion. The Foundation’s Women’s Health Circle has philanthropically invested in the latest imaging services for women that will be in the refitted area. 
• Expanded VHC Health’s palliative care program with a $5 million gift to VHC Health from local entrepreneur and philanthropist Suzanne Hanas.
• VHC Health announced that it is implementing positive patient identification (PPID) using facial biometrics at all VHC Health locations, making VHC Health the first healthcare system in the region to implement this innovative patient experience. 
• VHC Health expanded its footprint in McLean with a $34.5M purchase of a nearly 15,000 square-foot building on Old Meadow Road and includes a joint venture with OrthoVirginia for an orthopedic outpatient surgery center.
• Virginia Hospital Center was rebranded under the name VHC HealthTM. The new name reflects VHC’s status as a health system bringing community-centered, top-quality healthcare to patients across the region.
• VHC Health Physicians opened three new Primary Care sites in Mount Vernon, Annandale and Vienna. The OBGYN service line added new sites in Annandale, Vienna and Tysons. 
• VHC Health achieved 500 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures. This is an important milestone for the VHC Health structural heart program, which was launched in 2016 by VHC and Kaiser Permanente.
• The Virginia Department of Health formally approved VHC Health’s request to add 16 behavioral health inpatient beds, making VHC Health a 453-bed facility, expanding services and access as community need has increased.
• VHC Health’s Marjorie Sands NICU implemented live-streaming video capabilities through the AngelEye platform. Families can see their baby’s progress 24/7 using their phone, computer or tablet.
• The new Parking Garage E, adjacent to the Outpatient Pavilion, was completed and is now in use. We “topped off” the Outpatient Pavilion structure and continued with the exterior development and interior fit-out.
• VHC Health’s Community Health Clinics provided care at little or no cost to over 7,000 underserved adults and children through more than 26,000 clinical visits. VHC Health Physicians’ recruitment team recruited and on boarded 85 providers.

Leadership Recognition

• Christopher T. Lane was named President & CEO of VHC Health, succeeding outgoing VHC President & CEO James B. Cole who had been at VHC Health for 36 years.
• Brian Stone, MD, MBA, was named Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
• Sam Gilkeson, JD, was named Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer.
• Dr. Michael A. Silverman, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, was honored with the 2022 William T. Newman, Jr. “Spirit of Community” Award from the Arlington Community Foundation in recognition of his service as chief of emergency medicine and for providing critical information about the pandemic to the DMV region.
• Sarita Rhodes-Vivour, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NEA-BC, Associate Vice President of Nursing, was selected to join the incoming Leadership Arlington class of 2023.

2021

• One of only 72 hospitals nationwide to receive the Top Teaching Hospital distinction by The Leapfrog Group and marks VHC’s fifth Top Hospital recognition.
• Selected as one of Newsweek’s Top 200 Best Hospitals in the United States.
• Achieved re-accreditation by the Commission on Cancer as an approved Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program.
• Received a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Score of A for the 19th consecutive grading period— one of only 41 hospitals in the country to achieve this level of consistency.
• US News and World Report ranked VHC the number two hospital in the Washington, DC area. VHC earned recognition for its performance in several specialties: colon cancer and surgery, lung cancer, heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, knee replacement, hip replacement, hip fracture, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Newsweek named Inpatient Rehabilitation as one of America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers.
• Selected for the Healthgrades 2021 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™. This distinction places VHC among the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. This year marks VHC’s tenth consecutive year winning the Outstanding Patient Experience Award™, which the Hospital has consistently earned every year since 2012.
• Named one of the Top 100 Hospitals for Consumer Loyalty by NRC Health.
• Received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® for Stroke Award, and the Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll™ Award.
• Received the following BCBS—Blue Distinction recognition:
  • Blue Distinction Plus – Bariatrics
  • Blue Distinction Plus – Cardiac Care
  • Blue Distinction – Knee/Hip Replacement
  • Blue Distinction Plus – Maternity Care
  • Blue Distinction Plus – Spine Surgery
• Received the following Aetna Institutes of Quality Recognition:
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Cardiac Care
  • Orthopedic Care (Total Joints)
• Received the following Cigna Centers of Excellence designation:
  • Bariatric Surgery (gastric bypass and weight loss surgery)
  • Cardiac Catheterization and Angioplasty
  • Colon Surgery
  • Delivery (C-Section and Vaginal Delivery)
  • Heart Surgery (coronary artery bypass surgery and heart valve surgery)
  • Joint Replacement (Hip and Knee replacement)
  • Respiratory/Pulmonary Conditions (COPN and Pneumonia)
• Received the following Women’s Choice Awards®:
  • America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care and Comprehensive Breast Center
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
  • America’s Best Stroke Centers
  • America’s Best Hospitals for Women’s Services
  • Women’s Choice Award for Mammogram Center
• VHC received a rating of ‘AA-’ with a stable outlook from Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings affirmed its ‘A+’ long-term rating with a stable outlook. The strong ratings reflect VHC’s strong operating risk assessment and stable market position in a favorable but competitive service area.
• Recognized as a 2021 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program. This recognizes the Hospital’s technology achievements, specifically achieving Most Wired Level 9 Certification. VHC received recognition for its community engagement efforts with the launch of its app in April.

Accreditation & Certification

• Dr. Rezac and Dr. Pigalarga received Master Surgeon accreditation and the Robotic OR team received accreditation as a Robotic Training Epicenter—an elite network of the nation’s most experienced robotic surgeons.
• Drs. Rezac, Mordkin, Joel, Salameh, David, Pigalarga, T. Kim, Singh, Chen and Rizvi all received robotic surgical accreditation as part of the VHC Robotic Surgery Center of Excellence.
• Our robotic team received accreditation, from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), as a Robotic Center for Excellence.
• Successful reaccreditation by the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for the Reinsch Pierce Family Center for Breast Health.
• Successful re-certification, by Joint Commission, of our Center of Excellence status as a Primary Stroke Center.
• Bariatric Center of Excellence for United Healthcare.
• The American College of Radiology (ACR and the Committee for Radiation Oncology Practice has granted VHC’s Radiation Oncology Program with a full three-year accreditation.
• The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has recognized and certified all of VHCPG Primary Care sites for the Patient- Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Program with a Level III distinction.
• The VHCPG Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center again received accreditation by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Association (UHMS). UHMS accreditation signifies that the hyperbaric facility has been rigorously evaluated and met the highest standards of patient care and safety.

Notable Achievements

• Designated a Level II Trauma Center by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Received a transformative gift of $5 million from long-time donor Lola C. Reinsch to promote the Hospital’s campus expansion efforts. The donation is the second-largest contribution from an individual in the Hospital’s 75-year history.
• Brought Epic, a leading electronic health record (EHR) system, to our partners at the Arlington Free Clinic (AFC).
• Partnered with Arlington County to operate a vaccination clinic for residents over the age of 75 and held a VHC Pediatrics vaccine clinic. Over 2,600 COVID-19 vaccines were admin- istered through VHC Pediatrics to underserved children and their families in Arlington.
• VHC Physician Group expanded with new offices in Arlington North, Arlington South and Mt. Vernon, opened additional space in Old Town and National Landing, and added a gastroenterology practice.
• Held the first annual Light the Night event at VHC to support those affected by cancer and raise funds to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
• Announced the dedication of the VHC Pediatrics Care Coordinators Office in recognition of the Vicky Collins Charitable Foundation for their longstanding philanthropic support of VHC Pediatrics, which has totaled $2.4 million since 2005.
• Celebrated another milestone with the Outpatient Pavilion Topping-out in December.
• Opened the new Outpatient Pavilion parking garage in September with more than 1,600 spaces.
• Virginia Hospital Center successfully submitted and received approval for additional medical/ surgical beds and is now licensed as a 453 - bed facility making it the tenth largest hospital in Virginia.
• Received a $3,000 grant from the Kiwanis Club of Arlington to benefit VHC Pediatrics.
• Celebrated the arrival of the new Steinway B Grand Piano for VHC’s refurbished Lobby, a gift from the Dewberry Family, who established the Sid and Reva Dewberry Cancer Resource Center.
• The VHC Team donated over 1025 backpacks for VHC Pediatrics families and children.
• Successful launch of the new VHC App and the VHC OB Journey App.
• Launched the OB Connect program to provide convenient prenatal care with at-home monitoring.
• Celebrated our 6-year anniversary as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
• The James B. Cole Healthcare Education Fund secured nearly $750,000 and over 150 individuals, Hospital employees, and corporate partners have contributed to the fund.
• The Friends of Nursing Program raised $530,812 and $192,749 was distributed to provide nursing awards and funded scholarships to 30 nurses. The Foundation created the For Our Neighbors Fund to reduce health disparities by supporting four departments that address the social determinants of healthcare for underserved populations—from pediatrics to the elderly. In its first year, the fund raised over $160,000.
• Achieved Level 9 (out of 10) in the Most Wired assessment, conducted by CHIME, which scores facilities based on how technology is implemented and utilized.
• Received the Epic Gold Star designation which provides a scorecard of how effectively an organization is using the system, and provides a roadmap for improving clinical outcomes.

Leadership Recognition

• Michael Silverman, MD, FACEP, chair of emergency medicine, was recently awarded two incredible honors. Dr. Silverman was selected as one of five 2020 Facility Medical Directors of the Year by Alteon Health, the industry-leading national medical group that has managed VHC’s emergency medicine program since 2001. The Leadership Center for Excellence also selected Dr. Silverman as the 2021 recipient for the Dominion Energy Torch Award for Ethical Leadership.>/li>
• Alicia Abusbeitan, BSN, PCCN, Infection Prevention, named Employee of the Year by National Capital Healthcare Council.
• Five nursing team members were selected by Washingtonian Magazine to receive Excellence in Nursing Awards and are included in a group of 50 exceptional nurses:
  • Meghan Bozzelli, BSN, RN, CEN, Patient Care Director, Emergency Department
  • Melody Dickerson, MSN, RN, CPHQ, Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer
  • Loan Nguyen, BSN, RN, Medical Stroke Unit
  • Sally Parris, MSN, RN, COHN, Director of Occupational Health
  • Lorraine Waltz, BSN, RN, OCN, Patient Care Director, Oncology
• James B Cole, President & CEO, was recognized with a joint resolution of the Virginia General Assembly for his contributions to the health care profession and dedication to the members of the Arlington community.
• Mike Mistretta, VP & CIO, was a finalist for the Capital CIO of the Year—ORBIE Awards for demonstrated excellence in technology leadership.