Hendrick Health was awarded the Transcatheter Valve Certification by the American College of Cardiology in April, recognizing its expertise and commitment to treating patients undergoing transcatheter valve repair and replacement procedures.
The certification highlights Hendrick Health’s ability to meet national standards for multidisciplinary care, formalized training, shared decision-making, and registry performance. This recognition is significant as it underscores efforts to improve patient safety and outcomes related to advanced heart valve therapies.
The American College of Cardiology’s Transcatheter Valve Certification involves an external review process paired with established clinical databases that monitor patient safety and real-world results. Participation in national registries such as the STS/ACC TVT Registry is required for hospitals seeking this certification. “Hendrick Health has demonstrated its commitment to providing the region of Abilene, Texas, with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Hendrick Health with Transcatheter Valve Certification.”
Hospitals achieving this certification are able to implement evidence-based medicine practices more effectively while tracking key performance metrics for continuous improvement. Jonathan Urbanczyk, DO, an interventional cardiologist with Hendrick Clinic Cardiology said: “Achieving TAVR accreditation is a meaningful milestone for our entire team and a reflection of Hendrick Health’s unwavering commitment to quality, safety and patient-centered care. This recognition validates the rigorous standards we uphold every day, from clinical outcomes and multidisciplinary collaboration to continuous performance improvement. Most importantly, it reinforces our promise to provide advanced, evidence-based heart valve therapies close to home for the patients and families we serve. This accreditation moves us one step closer to our vision of Hendrick as a true center of excellence in cardiovascular care.”
According to its official website, Hendrick Health System functions as a not-for-profit organization governed by a local volunteer board and affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The system operates more than 100 service locations across West Central Texas—including three hospital campuses—and manages specialized centers such as children’s hospitals and cancer centers. The organization also emphasizes public service by providing accessible high-quality care aimed at strengthening regional wellness. It has earned recognition such as the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for workplace culture. Additionally, it holds designations like Pathway to Excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Looking ahead, hospitals like Hendrick Health that participate in these programs will continue learning best practices from national data while working toward improved patient-centered cardiac care.
