Hospital Achieves Highest Possible Rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -June 24th, 2026– Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center has earned the distinguished three-star rating, the highest possible quality designation, from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for both isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures and the Multiprocedural Composite Quality Rating.

The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) is considered one of the most comprehensive and respected quality improvement initiatives in health care. Using sophisticated risk-adjustment methodologies, the database evaluates hospitals and surgical groups based on patient outcomes and data integrity over a rolling three-year period. Programs receive a rating of one to three stars, with three stars representing “better than expected” performance and placing a program among the nation’s elite cardiac surgery centers. Typically, only 10% to 20% of participating programs achieve a three-star rating.

“This recognition by the STS is a tribute to the multidisciplinary approach to cardiac surgery and hard work of the entire cardiac surgical team,” said Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center CEO, Erik Cazares. “It recognizes the outstanding care that we can provide to our community.”

The STS CABG star rating evaluates programs using a combination of outcome measures, surgical best practices and adherence to evidence-based clinical guidelines. Metrics include:

• Absence of operative mortality
• Absence of major morbidity
• Use of the internal mammary artery, a recognized surgical best practice
• Receipt of required perioperative medications

In addition to its CABG rating, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center earned three stars in the STS Multiprocedural Composite Quality Rating, which evaluates the full spectrum of adult cardiac surgery procedures. The rating measures patient mortality and morbidity outcomes across multiple cardiac surgery categories, with three-star programs ranking among approximately the top 10% to 15% of participating centers nationwide.

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center’s cardiovascular program offers comprehensive cardiac services, including advanced cardiac surgery, structural heart procedures, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology and vascular care, serving patients throughout Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. It became the first hospital to perform open heart surgery in Palm Beach County when it completed a case in 1984.

About Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center (PBGMC), part of the Palm Beach Health Network, the largest health care network in Palm Beach County, is a 199-bed acute care hospital. It has served the Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast communities for over 50 years. The hospital was the first in Palm Beach County to perform open-heart surgery and has remained on the forefront as one of the area’s leaders in cardiac care. PBGMC also offers award winning stroke care, neurosurgery, urology, orthopedics, robot assisted and minimally invasive surgical techniques, bloodless medicine and a 24-hour emergency room. For more information, visit: www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com.