Expansion beyond CABG reflects continued growth in quality, outcomes and program excellence 

Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care has achieved the highest possible three-star rating across multiple cardiac surgery categories, marking a major milestone in the continued evolution of its cardiac surgery programs.

For the first time, Baptist Health has earned top ratings beyond coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone—an achievement that reflects measurable progress in quality, outcomes and consistency across a broader range of complex cardiac procedures.

“This is really special for our entire team,” said Tom C. Nguyen, M.D., system chief executive, Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care; chief medical executive, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute; director of minimally invasive surgery; Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute; chair and professor, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. “We’ve always taken pride in earning three stars for CABG, which is a significant benchmark in cardiac surgery. To now see that level of recognition extend across multiple procedures reflects how closely our teams are working together across campuses to deliver consistent, high-quality care for every patient.”

Three-Star Ratings by Hospital and Category

Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care at Baptist Health Baptist Hospital

• CABG Overall (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting): Surgery that improves blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.
• MVRR Overall (Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement): Procedures to repair or replace the mitral valve, which regulates blood flow between the heart’s left chambers.
• Multi-procedure Overall: A combined rating reflecting outcomes across multiple types of cardiac surgeries, including complex and high-risk procedures.

Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care at Baptist Health South Miami Hospital

• CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting): A leading surgical treatment for coronary artery disease.
• Multi-procedure Overall: A comprehensive measure of performance across a range of cardiac surgeries, indicating consistent quality in diverse and complex cases.

Three stars represent the highest possible rating, placing these programs among the top-performing cardiac surgery centers nationally.

Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute has also been named a 2026 Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center, recognizing excellence in mitral valve repair.

A Milestone Reflecting Systemwide Growth

Under Dr. Nguyen’s leadership, Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care continues to advance a world-class cardiovascular program built on innovation, collaboration and patient-centered care. While Baptist Health has previously earned three-star recognition for CABG—a distinction widely regarded as a gold standard in cardiac surgery—this expansion into additional categories highlights the maturation and strength of the overall program.

The achievement reflects a systemwide commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration across surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and support teams.

“Success is never about one person or one program, it’s about the entire team coming together around the patient,” Dr. Nguyen added. “From the operating room to the ICU to recovery, every step is connected. These results reflect a shared commitment across our hospitals to continuously improve and deliver the highest level of care.”

Under Dr. Nguyen’s leadership, Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care continues to advance a world-class cardiovascular program built on innovation, collaboration and patient-centered care.

Dr. Nguyen emphasized that the milestone belongs to the teams across all campuses.

“I’m incredibly grateful to our teams at Baptist Hospital and South Miami Hospital,” he said. “This kind of progress only happens when everyone, from surgeons and cardiologists to nurses and support staff, is aligned around a common goal: doing what’s best for the patient.”

For patients, these recognitions reflect access to experienced heart surgeons in Miami, advanced surgical techniques and consistently strong outcomes across Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care.