Lincoln Hospital Named Among Top U.S. Hospitals for Surgical Outcomes by American College of Surgeons

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NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Earns National Recognition for Surgical Excellence from the American College of Surgeons 


Bronx Voice 

December 30, 2025


Bronx, NY – NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln has earned national recognition for excellence in surgical care, placing the South Bronx hospital among an elite group of healthcare institutions across the United States. 

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has named Lincoln Hospital a meritoriously performing hospital through its highly respected National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP), recognizing outstanding patient outcomes and surgical quality.



Only 76 hospitals nationwide received this distinction for 2024, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is one of just 43 hospitals to be recognized in both the “All Cases” and “High Risk” categories, highlighting exceptional performance even in the most complex surgical cases.


What Is ACS NSQIP and Why This Recognition Matters


The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) is widely regarded as the gold standard for measuring and improving surgical outcomes. Participating hospitals are required to rigorously track inpatient and outpatient surgical outcomes, collecting risk-adjusted data that evaluates patient safety and quality of care.


Performance is measured across eight critical clinical areas, including:


  • Surgical mortality


  • Cardiac complications


  • Pneumonia


  • Surgical site infections


  • Other major indicators of patient safety and recovery


For NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, this recognition confirms what patients and clinicians already know: the hospital consistently delivers high-quality, evidence-based surgical care, even in a demanding, high-volume environment.



A Major Milestone for a Level I Trauma Center in the Bronx


As a Level I Trauma Center with one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation, Lincoln Hospital treats some of New York City’s most medically complex and vulnerable patients.


“This recognition from the American College of Surgeons is a powerful affirmation of the exceptional work happening every day at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln,” said Cristina Contreras, LMSW, MPA, FABC, DHL, Chief Executive Officer. “It reflects excellence across the entire perioperative continuum and underscores our culture of teamwork, safety, and equity. Our patients receive world-class care close to home.”


This achievement is especially significant given the national healthcare workforce challenges and increasing patient acuity faced by public hospitals.


National Leaders Applaud Lincoln’s Surgical Outcomes


The American College of Surgeons praised Lincoln Hospital for not only participating in ACS NSQIP, but for using the data to drive measurable improvements.


“NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln has gone a step further,” said Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, FASCRS, Senior Vice President of the ACS Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care. “They have the results to prove they are achieving optimal patient outcomes, even in an increasingly difficult climate.”


The recognition is based on risk-adjusted data from the July 2025 ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report, which analyzed outcomes from the 2024 calendar year.


Surgical Teams Delivering Excellence Every Day


For Lincoln’s surgical teams, the honor reinforces a shared commitment to patient safety.


“It’s an honor to be recognized by ACS NSQIP for our meritorious outcomes,” said Valerie Katz, MD, Interim Chair of Surgery. “The safety and well-being of every surgical patient remains front and center in our approach. This achievement reflects the dedication and collaboration of our teams, especially when caring for patients with complex conditions.”


Why ACS NSQIP Sets the National Standard


ACS NSQIP is the preeminent nationally validated surgical quality improvement program, currently used by more than 850 adult and pediatric hospitals. The program:


  • Measures 30-day postoperative outcomes


  • Adjusts for patient risk and acuity


  • Reduces surgical morbidity and mortality


  • Helps lower healthcare costs through improved outcomes


Hospitals participating in the program are designated ACS Surgical Quality Partners, signaling a long-term commitment to transparency and improvement.


About NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln


Located in the South Bronx, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is a 362-bed acute care hospital and Level I Trauma Center, serving:

  • Over 168,000 emergency room visits annually


  • More than 600,000 outpatient visits each year


Centers of excellence include Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care, Stroke Services, Diabetes Care, HIV/AIDS treatment, and Breast Imaging. Lincoln is also the first Baby-Friendly designated hospital in the Bronx and part of the nation’s largest public health system.

Learn more at
 https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/lincoln


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