Category: News

The Core Institute Specialty Hospital named one of America’s top hospitals by Women’s Choice Award®

Annebeth Ahrenholz

The Core Institute Specialty Hospital ranked among nation’s top 2% for women’s care

PHOENIX (March 13, 2025) – The Core Institute Specialty Hospital (CISH) has been recognized on the list of America’s Best Hospitals by the Women’s Choice Award®, joining an elite group of 300 hospitals and and healthcare facilities across the country. This distinction places CISH in the top 2% nationwide for its dedication to providing high-quality care, patient satisfaction and exceptional services for women and families. 

Studies suggest that women in the United States make approximately 80% of healthcare decisions for their families and often act as the main decision-makers when it comes to seeking medical care for themselves, their children, spouses and aging parents. This influence extends across many aspects of healthcare, including choosing healthcare providers, selecting treatment options and managing long-term care. 

“We are deeply honored to receive the Women’s Choice Award, which reflects the outstanding care and service our team delivers to every patient,” said Eric Tomlon, CEO of The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital. “This recognition reinforces our continued commitment to making orthopedic care accessible and ensuring excellence in all that we do.” 

The Women’s Choice Award® identifies the best hospitals, imaging centers and extended care facilities based on evidence-driven criteria. Through their rigorous evaluation process, the award helps women make informed healthcare decisions by identifying top-rated facilities across the country. 

The methodology behind the Women’s Choice Award is objective and uses publicly available data from sources such as The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) patient satisfaction survey and the American Hospital Directory. Hospitals are evaluated based on clinical success, patient safety, patient satisfaction and relevant accreditation information.

About The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital

The hospital is owned and managed by Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo), a physician-managed company focused on transforming the patient care experience and improving the practice of medicine. HOPCo uniquely manages orthopedic practices and hospital service lines across the country to enhance the experience for patients and physicians.  Through management of the entire continuum of care, patients receive the right evidence-based care at the right time and in the right place. For more information, visit thecoreinstitutehospital.com.   

Our unique approach to patient care allows our physicians and staff to become experts in the most advanced orthopedic surgical procedures to ensure patients receive the best results for their conditions.   

All we do is orthopedics. This singular focus means our physicians are among the best in Arizona, and with nurse-patient ratios lower than most hospitals, our staff can be more attentive and responsive to your needs.  We are continually updating our technology to provide patients with the most advanced surgical techniques to address their orthopedic conditions and improve their quality of life.   

The hospital is owned and managed by Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo), a physician-managed company focused on transforming the patient care experience and improving the practice of medicine. HOPCo uniquely manages orthopedic practices and hospital service lines across the country to enhance the experience for patients and physicians.  Through management of the entire continuum of care, patients receive the right evidence-based care at the right time and in the right place. For more information, visit thecoreinstitutehospital.com.   

About Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) 

Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) is the global leader of integrated musculoskeletal value-based health outcomes management, digital analytics, practice management, and health system service line management. This includes comprehensive expertise across all MSK specialties, including orthopedics, spine, pain management, rehabilitation, neurosurgery, and neurology. HOPCo’s integrated care, analytics, and facilities development platforms have proven to increase the quality of patient care while reliably reducing the total cost of MSK care across the care continuum for practices, health systems and payors alike. HOPCo’s affiliated payors, practices and health systems successfully participate in highly efficient value-based contracting (bundled payments, population health programs, and other advanced risk-based arrangements) utilizing HOPCo’s proprietary platforms, IT solutions, digital patient-physician engagement tools, integrated analytics, advanced medical economics and standardized care pathways. Visit www.hopco.com to learn more.  

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The Core Institute Specialty Hospital recognized for patient safety by Healthgrades 

Annebeth Ahrenholz

Hospital among the nation’s top 10% for exceptional, patient-centered care 

PHOENIX (March 12, 2025) – The Core Institute Specialty Hospital (CISH) has been recognized as a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects CISH’s clear commitment to safe, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety for the fifth consecutive year.  

In addition to this recognition for patient safety, CISH has previously been recognized as America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement and received the Joint Replacement Excellence Award. These achievements further underscore the organization’s commitment to delivering compassionate, individualized care at every step of the patient journey.  

“This award is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire team,” said Eric Tomlon, CEO of The Core Institute Specialty Hospital. “Achieving this distinction for the fifth consecutive year reflects our ongoing investment in advanced technologies, our safety protocols and the leadership’s commitment to continuously improving patient outcomes. We are proud to be among the top hospitals nationwide, where patient safety is our top priority and our efforts are focused on delivering the best care with compassion and excellence.” 

The Core Institute Specialty Hospital’s achievements are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. To determine the top-performing hospitals for patient safety, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Healthgrades’ analysis revealed significant performance gaps between the nation’s highest- and lowest-achieving facilities, making it increasingly important for consumers to seek care at a hospital with top safety ratings. From 2021-2023, 173,280 preventable safety events occurred among Medicare patients in U.S. hospitals, with four patient safety indicators accounting for nearly 76% of these incidents. The annual study found that patients treated in hospitals who received the 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award have a significantly lower chance of experiencing one of the four leading safety indicators than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals:  

  • In-hospital falls resulting in fracture (54% less likely) 
  • Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery in or around the chest (approximately 55% less likely) 
  • Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (approximately 69% less likely) 
  • Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (72% less likely) 

“As a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient, The Core Institute Specialty Hospital consistently puts the well-being of their patients and staff at the forefront, setting a high standard for patient safety nationwide,” said Debra Gradick, MD FACEP, senior physician consultant at Healthgrades. “We commend The Core Institute Specialty Hospital for providing consistently exceptional care while preventing serious injuries, giving patients their best chance of a seamless recovery.”  

About The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital  

Our unique approach to patient care allows our physicians and staff to become experts in the most advanced orthopedic surgical procedures to ensure patients receive the best results for their conditions.   

All we do is orthopedics. This singular focus means our physicians are among the best in Arizona, and with nurse-patient ratios lower than most hospitals, our staff can be more attentive and responsive to your needs.  We are continually updating our technology to provide patients with the most advanced surgical techniques to address their orthopedic conditions and improve their quality of life.   

The hospital is owned and managed by Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo), a physician-managed company focused on transforming the patient care experience and improving the practice of medicine. HOPCo uniquely manages orthopedic practices and hospital service lines across the country to enhance the experience for patients and physicians.  Through management of the entire continuum of care, patients receive the right evidence-based care at the right time and in the right place. For more information, visit thecoreinstitutehospital.com.   

About Healthgrades 

Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering meaningful connections between patients, doctors and hospitals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content. 

For over 20 years, our health system, group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have helped our partners reach and engage consumers on their way to the doctor. 

Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, a partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. RVO Health has the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central and Bezzy, which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month. 

About Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) 

Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) is the global leader of integrated musculoskeletal value-based health outcomes management, digital analytics, practice management and health system service line management. This includes comprehensive expertise across all MSK specialties, including orthopedics, spine, pain management, rehabilitation, neurosurgery and neurology. HOPCo’s integrated care, analytics and facilities development platforms have proven to increase the quality of patient care while reliably reducing the total cost of MSK care across the care continuum for practices, health systems and payors alike. HOPCo’s affiliated payors, practices and health systems successfully participate in highly efficient value-based contracting (bundled payments, population health programs, and other advanced risk-based arrangements) utilizing HOPCo’s proprietary platforms, IT solutions, digital patient-physician engagement tools, integrated analytics, advanced medical economics and standardized care pathways. Visit www.hopco.com to learn more. 

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The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital Nationally Recognized by Healthgrades for Orthopedic and Spine Care in 2024 

The CORE Institute Hospital

Recognized with Six Clinical Achievements from Healthgrades 

[PHOENIX, AZ] – March 26, 2024 – The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital, a multi-award winning musculoskeletal specialty hospital in Phoenix, announced today it has achieved numerous accolades for clinical excellence, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor.  Among The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital’s distinctions are Specialty Excellence Awards, placing the hospital in the top 10% of the nation for Joint Replacement and the top 5% in the nation for Patient Safety.  These achievements place The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital in the upper echelon of hospitals nationally for specialty care and reflect the organization’s commitment to consistently delivering the best care possible. 

The list of Healthgrades awards and recognitions for 2024 include: 

  • Joint Replacement Excellence Awards (5 years in a row) 
  • Top 10% in the Nation for Joint Replacement (5 years in a row) 
  • Five Star Recipient for Total Knee Replacement (6 Years in a row) 
  • Five Star Recipient for Spinal Fusion Surgery (10 years in a row) 
  • Patient Safety Excellence Award (4 years in a row) 
  • Top 5% in the Nation for Patient Safety (4 years in a row) 

With these latest accolades, The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital has distinguished itself again by becoming the only hospital in Arizona to receive the Joint Replacement Excellence Award 5 years in a row, a 5-star rating for Total Knee Replacement 5 years in a row and a 5-star rating for Spinal Fusion Surgery 10 years in a row. 

“Receiving these awards is a testament to the commitment of our expert teams to fulfill the mission and vision of our hospital on behalf of this community,” said Eric Tomlon, MBA, MSHA, FACHE and CEO of The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital.  “Over the last decade, we have been leading the way in Arizona to reduce costs and improve outcomes for musculoskeletal care.  Through these efforts, The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital has become a recognized destination for orthopedic and spine care for patients both nationally and internationally.  We are very proud of this recognition, as it validates the hard work and focus our employees, physicians and partners  put in every day to make sure our patients have the best clinical outcomes and experience.” 

Healthgrades evaluates hospitals solely on clinical outcomes: risk-adjusted mortality and complications.  By focusing on what matters most, patient outcomes, Healthgrades ratings provide critical feedback for both patients and hospitals.  By offering easy access to objective performance measures, Healthgrades gives consumers the information they need to find a hospital that excels in providing the care they need.  And, by shining a light on strengths and weaknesses, Healthgrades ratings help direct hospitals to opportunities for clinical improvement.  The 2024 hospital assessment evaluated patient mortality and complication rates for 35 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify the top performers. 

The  2024 Healthgrades analysis revealed that the variation in performance among hospitals continues to widen, making it increasingly important to seek care at top-rated programs.  From 2020 through 2022, if all hospitals as a group performed similarly to five-star hospitals, on average, 215,667 lives could potentially have been saved, and 149,521 patients could have avoided potential complications.* 

“Healthgrades congratulates The CORE Institue Specialty Hospital for being a national leader and demonstrating a deep commitment to providing high-quality care to all patients,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “Your dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts have not only set you apart but have also positively impacted the lives of countless patients.” 

Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access a patient-friendly overview of how we rate and why hospital quality matters here.  

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2020 through 2022 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only.  

About The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital 

Our unique approach to patient care allows our physicians and staff to become experts in the most advanced orthopedic surgical procedures to ensure patients receive the best results for their conditions. 

All we do is orthopedics.  This singular focus means our physicians are among the best in Arizona, and with nurse-patient ratios lower than most hospitals, our staff can be more attentive and responsive to your needs.  We are continually updating our technology to provide patients with the most advanced surgical techniques to address their orthopedic conditions and improve their quality of life. 

The hospital is owned and managed by Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo), a physician-managed company focused on transforming the patient care experience and improving the practice of medicine.  HOPCo uniquely manages orthopedic practices and hospital service lines across the country to enhance the experience for patients and physicians.  Through management of the entire continuum of care, patients receive the right evidence-based care at the right time and in the right place. 

About Healthgrades 

Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering stronger and more meaningful connections between patients and healthcare professionals.  As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and as a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.  

Our health system, healthcare professional, and life sciences marketing solutions have been helping our partners reach and engage consumers who are on their way to the doctor for over 20 years.  

Start your search for the right care at healthgrades.com. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Daniel Goldberg 
Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Communications 
Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) 
623.241.8649 
Daniel.Goldberg@hopco.com 

THE CORE INSTITUTE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL NAMED ONE OF AMERICA’S 100 BEST FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT

The CORE Institute Hospital

Phoenix, AZ (October 25, 2022) – The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital, a HOPCo managed facility, today announced that it is one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients. This achievement reflects The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital’s outstanding clinical outcomes for Joint Replacement and puts The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for Joint Replacement. The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital has received the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ for three consecutive years in a row (2021-2023).

The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital was also recognized with the following achievements:

  • Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ for 4 Years in a Row (2020-2023)
  • Five-Star Recipient for Total Knee Replacement for 5 Years in a Row (2019-2023)
  • Five-Star Recipient for Total Hip Replacement for 6 Years in a Row (2018-2023)
  • Five-Star Recipient for Spinal Fusion Surgery for 9 Years in a Row (2015-2023)

Earlier this year, The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital received the Patient Safety Excellence Award™ for a second consecutive year (2021-2022) and was ranked #1 in the state of Arizona for Joint Replacement in 2022.

“More than ever, patients have a choice in where their surgical procedure is performed.  That choice often plays an important role in their outcome,” said Rona Curphy, CEO of The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital.  “Whether the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, or whether it is best they stay as an inpatient, every aspect of The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital is designed to enhance clinical outcomes and experience for the patient and their families as well.”

Healthgrades evaluated patient mortality and complication rates for 31 of the most common conditions and procedures at nearly 4,500 hospitals across the country to identify the top-performing hospitals for specialty care. This year’s analysis revealed significant variation in patient outcomes between America’s 100 Hospitals for Joint Replacement and hospitals that did not receive this distinction. From 2019-2021, patients treated at hospitals receiving the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement Award™ have, on average, a 65.6% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award.*

“We commend The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital for their ongoing commitment to providing high-quality care to patients undergoing joint replacement,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “Consumers can feel confident that America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ have demonstrated their ability to deliver consistently exceptional outcomes.”

Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access a patient-friendly overview of the complete methodology here.

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2019 through 2021 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. For appendectomy and bariatric surgery, Healthgrades used inpatient data from 16 states that provide all-payer data for years 2019 through 2021. Click here to view the complete 2023 Specialty Excellence Awards and Ratings Methodology.

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About The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital

The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital in Phoenix provides state-of-the-art hospital care for patients undergoing orthopedic and spine procedures.  Its unique approach to patient care allows its physicians and staff to apply their proven expertise within the most advanced orthopedic surgical procedures to ensure patients achieve the best results for their individual conditions.  The hospital is staffed with the Valley’s top orthopedic and spine surgeons specializing in hip and knee replacement, spine, pain management and other orthopedic surgical specialties.  The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital offers a unique setting for patients to receive advanced, specialty-specific, quality care – validated through The CORE Institute’s well-proven clinical and outcomes platform that drives improved surgical outcomes.

The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital is located at 6501 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015.  More information about the hospital can be found here. 

The hospital is owned and managed by Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo), a physician managed company focused on transforming the patient care experience and improving the practice of medicine.

About Healthgrades

Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering stronger and more meaningful connections between patients and healthcare professionals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and as a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.

Our health system, healthcare professional, and life sciences marketing solutions have been helping our partners reach and engage consumers who are on their way to the doctor for over 20 years.

Start your search for the right care at healthgrades.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Daniel Goldberg
Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo)
623.241.8649
Daniel.Goldberg@hopco.com

Local Orthopedic Hospital Receives Top Recognition for Knee Replacement Surgery

The CORE Institute Hospital

U.S. News & World Report Ranks The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital Among Best Hospitals for Knee Replacement in Nation

Phoenix, Arizona (November 12, 2018) – The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital®, a world leader in orthopedic care, was recently given the highest ranking of “High Performing” for knee replacement by U.S. News and World Report.  The publication evaluates how well hospitals perform in knee replacement using data on patient survival, nurse staffing, volume and more. Hospitals receive one of three ratings – high performing, average or below average. With the High Performing rating, The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital ranks among the top hospitals in the country for knee replacement.

“We are pleased to hear of the U.S. News & World Report ranking for our knee replacements thanks to our singular focus on in providing best-in-class orthopedic care not only in the Southwestern U.S. but the entire country,” said Bryan Wall, MD, CEO at The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital. “This ranking is a direct credit to our talented surgeons and staff at The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital dedicated to providing the best possible outcomes to our patients.”

Several highly rated quality indicators contributed to The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital’s High Performing status for knee replacement. They were rated “excellent” in the prevention of prolonged hospitalizations, or how well a hospital prevents unusually long stays. They were also rated “excellent” for patient experience, which reflects the opinions of surveyed inpatients about the overall quality of their stay. The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital was also in the top percentile for prevention of blood transfusions, where 90 percent to 100 percent of patients did not need to undergo transfusion with donor blood, which can be necessary if unexpected blood loss occurs during surgery.

This isn’t the first recognition for The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital, which was also the first in Arizona to perform total knee replacements using the Mako™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) in October 2016. The robotic surgery gives physicians the tools to conduct minimally-invasive surgery with more precision and accuracy than traditional surgery.

Over 54 million people in the United States are affected by knee pain or injury, making it one of the most common causes of disability.

“Our knees are the largest joints in our body and are central to almost everything that we do. Knee pain or injury can make the most basic activities like walking or sitting unbearable,” said Kimberle Barker, Chief Nursing Officer at The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital. “Our dedicated team of physicians at The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital are ready to help our patients live pain-free and take their lives back.”