ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 8, 2026 — Rochester General Hospital, part of Rochester Regional Health, has earned Comprehensive Inpatient Verification from the American College of Surgeons Vascular Verification Program (ACS Vascular-VP)—the highest level of distinction awarded to vascular programs nationwide.
Rochester General Hospital is among just 12 hospitals in the United States, and only four on the East Coast, to achieve this elite designation, underscoring its position as a national leader in advanced, high- quality vascular care.
This recognition reflects the hospital’s commitment to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care across the full continuum from diagnosis through intervention and long-term follow-up. The verification process is rigorous, requiring a comprehensive pre-review and an in- depth, multi-day site visit to evaluate clinical outcomes, program structure and adherence to national standards.
“Achieving Comprehensive Inpatient Verification from the American College of Surgeons is a powerful affirmation of the level of care our team delivers every day,” said Patrick Riggs, MD, Chair of Vascular Surgery at Rochester Regional Health. “For our patients, it means access to highly specialized expertise, advanced technology and a coordinated, team-based approach that is grounded in data and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes. We’ve built a program where quality, safety, and continuous improvement are embedded in everything we do."
Why This Matters to Patients
For patients, this distinction is an independent, data-driven validation of safety, quality, and outcomes.
The ACS Vascular Verification Program was developed in partnership with the Society for Vascular Surgery to move beyond reputation and provide objective proof that a hospital meets the highest national standards for vascular care.
Verified programs are evaluated across infrastructure, clinical processes and real patient outcomes ensuring care is consistent, measurable and continuously improving.
As a Comprehensive Inpatient verified center, Rochester General Hospital provides:
- 24/7 access to specialized vascular experts, including board-certified surgeons and critical care teams
- Advanced technology and dedicated hybrid operating rooms to treat the most complex conditions
- Care for the full spectrum of vascular disease, from routine procedures to high-risk aortic and arterial cases
- Standardized, evidence-based treatment pathways that reduce variation and improve outcomes
- Ongoing outcomes tracking and peer-reviewed quality oversight, including 30-day follow-up and continuous performance improvement
This level of verification also signals that the program has been rigorously reviewed by external experts and is committed to a culture of accountability, transparency and continuous improvement, factors shown to enhance patient safety, coordination of care and overall experience.
Verification through the ACS Vascular Verification Program is valid for three years and requires continuous monitoring and re-evaluation.
This achievement further strengthens Rochester Regional Health’s reputation as a destination for advanced heart and vascular care, offering patients access to leading-edge treatments delivered by highly specialized teams in a coordinated, system-wide approach.
For more information about vascular services at Rochester General Hospital, visit: https://www.rochesterregional.org/services/vascular
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About Rochester Regional Health
Rochester Regional Health is an integrated health services organization serving the people of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, St. Lawrence County, and beyond. The system includes nine hospitals; primary and specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory campuses and urgent care facilities; innovative senior services, facilities and independent housing; a wide range of behavioral health services; and Rochester Regional Health Laboratories and ACM Global Laboratories, a global leader in patient and clinical trials. Rochester Regional Health is the Rochester region's second-largest employer.
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