Awards & Recognition

2024 

• Received a ‘High Performing' designation in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 list of maternity hospitals across the United States. This survey was based on factors most important to parents when choosing the hospital to deliver their baby.

• Received a top ranking in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list for 2023-2024. The report ranked hospitals in 15 adult specialties as well as national and regional rankings. VHC Health is proud to be ranked second in Northern Virginia, 4th in the Washington, DC metro region, and 5th in the Commonwealth of Virginia, out of 121 hospitals ranked

• Received an “A” grade in the spring of 2024 in the Leapfrog Group’s ranking for hospitals. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade gives 3,000 “general acute-care hospitals” a grade based on certain measures surrounding patient safety.

• VHC Health ranked as one of the top hospitals in the region, according to the prestigious annual rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. VHC Health tied for fourth place alongside George Washington University Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medicine-Sibley Memorial Hospital.

• VHC Health’s Outpatient Pavilion Parking Garage has been awarded the prestigious International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI) 2024 Apex Award for Stand-Alone Facility Design.

• VHC Health ranks as Best-in-State for 2024 in Virginia by Newsweek. The first ranking of its kind, this survey ranked the leading hospitals in the United States based on four data sources. VHC Health ranked as #5 in Virginia and was in the top three in the Washington, DC, metro region.

• VHC Health received 5 stars (the highest) in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s Quality rating. We were one of only 381 hospitals nationwide to achieve the prestigious five-star rating.

• The Commonwealth of Virginia renewed VHC Health’s 2021 accreditation as a Level II Trauma Center. This underscores the hospital’s commitment to excellence as a community provider of comprehensive medical services and to acutely injured patients.

• VHC Health’s cancer program received Accreditation with Commendation from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer Accreditation. This recognition demonstrates VHC Health’s dedication to providing our community with the highest quality cancer care.

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 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, and 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 the 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 Catheterization 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

• Awarded Magnet designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), making it one of only 612 medical facilities worldwide to currently hold the distinction. This is VHC Health’s third Magnet designation.

• The VHC Health Diabetes Education Program was recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for Quality Self-Management Education.

Notable Achievements

• VHC Health opened the newly renovated Unit 8B— Surgical Oncology at VHC Health, which adds 24 beds to serve our region’s growing needs. This state-of-the-art unit enhances the quality of care for our cancer patients and focuses on their specific surgical needs.

• VHC Health also opened the newly renovated Unit 4B. With 22 additional beds, this enhances our capacity to care for a variety of patients, including those needing specialized support for tracheostomy and ventilator care.

• The new Digestive Health Center opened, offering comprehensive services, including colorectal surgery, gastroenterology, and more—all under one roof.

• VHC Health announced a new expansion project to enhance the capabilities of the Emergency Department, Catheterization Lab, and ICU and CVICU patient units.

• VHC Health Physicians’ recruitment team recruited and on-boarded 95 providers (63 physicians and 32 NP/PAs).

Leadership Recognition

• John Nguyen, CFP, CIMA, was named Chair of the VHC Health Board of Directors and M. Anthony Casolaro, MD, as Vice Chair, effective January 8, 2025. Dr. Russell McWey, VHC Health Board Chairman since 2020, Board member since 2005, and VHC Health medical staff member since 1987, stepped down as the Chair.

• Melody Dickerson, DNP, RN, CENP, CPHQ, FACHE, Senior Vice President, Hospital Operations & Chief Nursing Officer for VHC Health, was honored as one of 213 CNOs to Know/2024 by Becker’s. These honored leaders bring a unique combination of clinical expertise and executive leadership skills to their roles. 

• Samuel Gilkeson, Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, was named a Washington Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree. This
  prestigious accolade recognizes young professionals in the region who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and community impact.

• John L. Zabrowski, System Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, was recognized in Becker’s Hospital Review’s prestigious list of Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know for 2024. This award highlights chief financial officers who are pivotal in strategic financial planning, overseeing expansions and joint ventures, and ensuring the financial sustainability of their organizations.

• John L. Zabrowski, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, & Chief Strategy Officer, was named the 2024 Nonprofit/Government Virginia CFO of the Year by Virginia Business.

• David Lee, MD, a distinguished member of the VHC Health's medical team, was named a Washington Business Journal 2024 Diversity in Business honoree. Now celebrating its 17th year, this competitive program honors leaders of color from around the region for their achievements in the business community and beyond.

Partnerships 

• VHC Health formed a partnership with PT Solutions to offer expert physical therapy services at 12 locations throughout Northern Virginia.

• VHC Health announced its partnership with Jayden Daniels, quarterback and standout player for the Washington Commanders. This collaboration is set to promote enhanced community health efforts throughout the DMV region.

• Alison Starling, the Emmy Award-winning former ABC 7News anchor, became the host of “Living Well with Alison Starling,” a podcast presented by VHC Health in partnership with the Washington Business Journal.

• The Washington Commanders celebrated the New Year Babies program, presented by VHC Health, the team’s official women’s health partner. This program is the latest of several initiatives between Commanders and VHC Health aimed at contributing to the health and well-being of women and families in the DMV.