Certifications and Accreditations
The Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute has been consistently recognized by some of the most distinguished organizations in the country for meeting or exceeding national standards of excellence in the areas of quality, innovation, safety and ethics. Below is a list of just some of the certifications and accreditations that reflect Summa Health’s commitment and underscore our ongoing dedication to providing compassionate, patient-centered cardiovascular care.
50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals
Summa Health System — Akron Campus has been recognized as a top-performing hospital in the 2025 Premier’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals® study. The study is based on an objective, quantitative analysis of publicly available data to identify the top cardiovascular hospitals in the United States. The primary purpose of Premier’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals program is to inspire hospital and health system leaders to pursue higher performance and deliver added value to patients and communities.
Healthgrades 5-Star for Treatment of Heart Attack
Summa Health has been recognized as a five-star recipient for treatment of heart attack by Healthgrades for two consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025. Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance using objective quality measures including clinical outcomes and patient safety, as well as patient experience.
Healthgrades 5-Star for Treatment of Heart Failure
Healthgrades has recognized Summa Health as a five-star recipient for treatment of heart failure for seven consecutive years, from 2019 through 2025. Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance using objective quality measures including clinical outcomes and patient safety, as well as patient experience.
Chest Pain - MI Registry Award
Healthgrades 100 Best for Cardiac Care
Summa Health System – Akron Campus has earned an America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care AwardTM for superior clinical outcomes in heart bypass surgery, coronary interventional procedures, heart attack treatment, heart failure treatment, and heart valve surgery from Healthgrades. Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance using objective quality measures including clinical outcomes and patient safety, as well as patient experience. Other recognitions from Healthgrades include:
- Recipient of Healthgrades 2024 Cardiac Care Excellence Award™
- Named Among Top 10% in Nation for Overall Cardiac Services, 2024
- Named Among Top 10% in Nation for Cardiology Services, 2024
- Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Attack, 2024
- Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Failure for 6 Years in a Row, 2019-2024
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2024 Carotid Care Quality Champion
The Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute has been designated as a Carotid Care Quality Champion by the Society for Vascular Surgery® Vascular Quality Initiative® (SVS VQI). This distinguished program honors healthcare organizations across the country dedicated to improving the safety and effectiveness of vascular care through participation and engagement in VQI’s carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy registries. Participation in the VQI allows Summa Health to monitor performance, benchmark outcomes and provide the best possible care for our patients.
DNV Credentialed Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program
Summa Health has been found to comply with the requirements of the VAD FCP – Ventricular Assist Device Facility Credentialing Program. Achievement of the DNV VADP credential (VADPC) validates conformance with CMS requirements and recognizes excellence in VAD implant surgery and care within the scope of VAD implant surgery and related procedures, inclusive of initial diagnostic services, surgical services, and therapies related to VAD care.
American College of Cardiology - Heart Failure Accreditation
The Summa Health – Akron Campus has been named an accredited Heart Failure center by the American College of Cardiology. The Akron Campus acquired this accreditation in 2017 and received re-accreditation through 2026. This accreditation signifies that our Heart Failure program is committed to the provision of high quality, compassionate, collaborative and comprehensive cardiovascular care to all patients; and the support of our communities through education, outreach and efficient utilization of resources.
2022 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals”
Summa Health System – Akron Campus has been recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in the "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report for our dedication to our heart patients. Patients and caregivers can trust hospitals and health systems that participate in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, receive ACC’s accreditation seal of approval and are recognized for delivering the best inpatient care. Through our participation in the ACC’s proven quality programs, we inform our robust quality improvement processes using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to our heart patients. Summa Health System is committed to providing top-level care. In fact, in 2020, we earned TAVR certification, as well as a re-accreditation in Heart Failure.
Watson Health®
50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals 2022
Summa Health System – Akron Campus was named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM™ Watson Health®. The annual study — which identifies top-performing hospitals based on a balanced look at clinical, operational and financial metrics — showed Summa achieved better survival rates, fewer patient complications, fewer healthcare associated infections, lower 30-day mortality and readmission rates, shorter lengths of stay and lower inpatient expenses when compared to similar hospitals. This is the second consecutive year Summa Health has earned this recognition.
American College of Cardiology
Accredited Chest Pain Center
Our Akron Campus is an accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology and has an additional distinction of being accredited as a Chest Pain Center with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PCI is a mechanical means of treating heart attack patients by eliminating blockages in coronary arteries.
Intersocietal Accreditation Commission
The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) is a nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits facilities that provide diagnostic imaging and procedure-based modalities, thus improving the quality of patient care provided in private offices, clinics and hospitals where such services are performed. Summa Health has IAC accredited programs on the following campuses:
- Summa Health – Barberton Campus
- Non-invasive Vascular Testing for Venous, Extracranial, Visceral and Arterial
- ECHO/Stress ECHO/Transesophageal ECHO
- Nuclear
- Summa Health – Akron Campus
- Non-invasive Vascular Testing for Venous, Extracranial, Visceral and Arterial
- ECHO/Stress ECHO/Transesophageal ECHO
- Nuclear