Awards and Recognition

Inova Schar Heart and Vascular is a nationally recognized leader in providing the latest cardiovascular care innovations, with exceptional patient outcomes. We are consistently ranked among the nation's top hospitals and care providers for excellence, innovation, quality, and safety. 

Awards for Excellence in Cardiovascular Care

U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025)

#1 in all of Virginia and #1 tied for Washington, DC Metro Region.

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus - ranked "High Performing" in:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair
• Aortic Valve Surgery
• Heart Attack
• Heart Bypass Surgery
• Heart Failure
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology is the most trusted source for outcomes-based quality metrics related to the care of cardiac patients.

Proven Quality Program: Inova is recognized as one of the top health systems in the U.S. for providing top quality care to heart patients. Inova Schar Heart and Vascular is one of only 87 health systems nationwide to receive this designation.

NCDR ACTION Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award: nova Schar Heart and Vascular has once again been honored with the American College of Cardiology's MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2024. This award highlights our continued commitment and success in delivering the highest standard of care for heart attack patients.

Aetna Institutes of Quality® – Cardiac Care

Each year since 2018, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus has been accredited as an Aetna Institute of Quality Cardiac Care Facility for consistently delivering evidence based, quality care for cardiac medical intervention, cardiac rhythm care, and cardiac surgery.

The Aetna Institutes of Quality (IOQ) network was developed to help patients and their doctors simplify their provider selections. Their accreditation is based on the quality factors of experience, standards, support, and efficiency. Aetna IOQ facilities have been specifically selected for meeting (and surpassing) all of these criteria.

American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab (AACVPR)

Inova Schar Heart and Vascular's comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Inova Loudoun Hospital, and Inova Mount Vernon Hospital are certified for adherence to rigorous national standards and guidelines.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Beacon Award for Excellence

The Progressive Coronary Care Unit (PCCU) of Inova Fairfax Hospital has once again received the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), for a 3-year designation. This award recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN's six Healthy Work Environment Standards.

American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation

For the fourth consecutive year, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has been awarded the prestigious Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award for 2024. This recognition highlights their outstanding care and expertise in treating mitral valve conditions. Their commitment to using the latest treatments and achieving superior clinical outcomes continues to set them apart, ensuring they provide the best care for their patients.

Cardiovascular Operating Room Award

The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) team in the Cardiovascular Operating Room at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has earned the 2022 CNOR Strong designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). This is the second year in a row that the team has earned this designation, which represents a commitment to perioperative excellence and outstanding patient care. Certification demonstrates that nurses have validated their mastery of perioperative practice. Research correlates certification with improved patient outcomes. The award is given to operating room departments that have achieved 50 percent or higher certification of eligible perioperative nursing staff; the Inova Schar Heart and Vascular CVOR team has achieved a 76 percent certification rate.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Certified Adult Heart and Adult Lung Transplant Programs

Extracorporeal Life Support Organization

Platinum Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support: The Cardiac, Critical Care and Lung Services teams at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus have been designated a Platinum Level Center of Excellence. This award recognizes the highest level of performance, innovation, satisfaction and quality.

Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC):

Echocardiography (Adult and Pediatric)

Special recognition goes to the Inova Cardiac Diagnostic Services - Fairfax located at the Inova Specialty Center for maintaining its IAC accreditation for 20 consecutive years.

• Cardiac Electrophysiology – Testing and Ablation, Device Implantation, Chronic Lead Extraction
• Nuclear/PET – Nuclear cardiology: RMPI
• Vascular Testing – Peripheral Arterial Testing, Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing; Peripheral Venous Testing

The Joint Commission: Certified Ventricular Assisted Device (VAD) Program

Inova Schar Heart and Vascular is the only hospital in the Northern Virginia area with a ventricular assisted device (VAD) program certified by The Joint Commission.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons: 3-star ratings

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) is a national leader in health care transparency and accountability showcasing the quality of surgical outcomes. Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has earned the top rating – 3 stars – in three out of five possible categories for patient care and outcomes in its cardiothoracic surgery program. Only 10-13 percent of all U.S. hospitals receive a three-star rating in any category. The three-star-ratings, which Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has received for multiple years, reflect avoidance of morbidity and mortality. 

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
• Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR)
• AVR+CABG combined

2023 winner of the TrueNorth Award

The TrueNorth Award recognizes facilities that use certification as a “true north,” guiding their perioperative nursing staff to be lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for excellence and patient safety. Facilities who earn the TrueNorth Award exhibit the highest standards in perioperative certification excellence.

Excellence in Heart and Vascular Cardiology

Inova has been recognized as a recipient of the 2023-2024 WebMD Patient Choice Award for excellence in Cardiology in the Northern Virginia area. This award is significant, as this is the only health system recognition program based solely on the preferences of patients and providers at a local level. The WebMD Choice Awards identify best-in-class health systems for five specialties and 44 treatments/procedures, in 28 markets and 112 subregions. Health systems that rank in the top 30% of patient preferences, receive the WebMD Patient Choice Award, respectively.

Other recognitions:

Beckers: Inova Schar Heart and Vascular is listed on the Becker's 2024 list of Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs.