Awards & Accreditations

WakeMed is proud to be Joint Commission accredited healthcare provider. The Joint Commission is a healthcare accrediting agency with strict rules and regulations participating organizations must follow to ensure they are providing the best healthcare in safe facilities following best practices.

Joint Commission standards dictate security requirements, size of doorways, surgical process and procedures, physician documentation and much, much more. Comprehensive surveys are conducted every three years. Raleigh Campus, Cary Hospital, North Hospital, Apex Healthplex, Brier Creek Healthplex, Garner Healthplex, Wendell Healthplex and all WakeMed outpatient facilities are all Joint Commission accredited.

WakeMed is designated as Magnet by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This system-wide designation recognizes our ongoing dedication and innovative efforts to improve outcomes for our patients and services for all who enter our doors.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus features one of six Level 1 Trauma programs statewide to deliver the highest level of care for traumatic injuries. WakeMed Cary Hospital is home to a Level III Trauma program.

Both trauma programs are verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and supported by a dedicated team of emergency physicians, orthopaedists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, respiratory therapists, nurses, radiologists, chaplains and social workers.

WakeMed is proud to be recognized as a Leader in Diversity by the Triangle Business Journal. WakeMed has received this award numerous times.

WakeMed is among the best hospital/health systems to work for in North Carolina, according to a ranking published by Forbes magazine. The list includes over 1,300 companies nationwide and identifies the best employers in each state – as determined by employee ratings on an independent survey.

WakeMed Home Health Exceeds National Average

The WakeMed Home Health team received a 3.5-star Home Health Compare rating for quality of patient care. Home Health Compare has information about the quality of care provided by "Medicare-certified" home health agencies throughout the nation.

The Adult and Gestational Diabetes Management program is certified with the American Diabetes Association for outpatient self-management diabetes education programming at Raleigh Campus, Cary Hospital and North Hospital.

In 2021, WakeMed Raleigh Campus became only the second hospital in the state to receive Joint Commission COPD certification. COPD is the third leading cause of death by disease in the United States and the CDC estimates that nearly 7 percent of North Carolinians have COPD. Established in 2007, Joint Commission COPD Certification recognizes organizations that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for COPD patients.

Each year, Professional Research Consultants (PRC) recognizes health care organizations that have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence in their field with the PRC Excellence in Healthcare Awards.

This year, WakeMed received numerous awards, which recognize service lines in the top 10 percent (at or above 90th percentile) of the PRC national client database. See the full list of department and provider winners.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital received 'A's on the most recent hospital safety scores released by Leapfrog Group.  WakeMed North Hospital received a B. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national nonprofit organization that works to initiate improvements in the safety, quality and affordability of health care.

WakeMed North Hospital has received the prestigious level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Healthcare Gold. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and it provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings.

WakeMed North Hospital was the first hospital in North Carolina to achieve LEED Healthcare Gold.

WakeMed and our physician practices won “Gold” in several categories in the 2024 News & Observer Raleigh’s Best Awards program:

• Best Place to have a Baby: WakeMed
• Best In-Home Healthcare Services: WakeMed Home Health
• Best Physicians Group – Cardiology: WakeMed Heart & Vascular Cardiology
• Best Physicians Group – Primary Care: WakeMed Primary Care
• Best Physicians Group – Orthopedics: Wake Orthopaedics
• Best Physicians Group – Urgent Care: Wake Orthopaedics Urgent Care

Each year, Cigna health insurance evaluates the patient outcomes and cost efficiency of every hospital in their network. Hospitals that earn at least five stars (with at least two stars for patient outcomes and two stars for efficiency) receive the Cigna Center of Excellence designation for that surgical procedure or medical condition. For 2023, WakeMed received Center of Excellence designation for:

Raleigh Campus

• Cardiac Cath & Angioplasty
• Heart Surgery
• Pulmonology Medical

Cary Hospital

• Bariatric Surgery
• Pulmonology Medical

Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity

WakeMed was named one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek in 2024. The list includes 1,000 companies nationwide and identifies the employers that are dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion — as determined by 223,000 individual company reviews from employees.

WakeMed made the Lown Institute’s 2024 list of the nation’s most socially responsible hospitals. WakeMed achieved “A” grades across metrics of health equity, value of care, and patient outcomes. The Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is a signature project of the Lown Institute that measures how well hospitals serve their patients and communities through unique benchmark data and analytics — from racial inclusivity and avoidance of overuse to pay equity, among other metrics.

We are proud to be named among the list of 2023 Best Employers for Diversity according to Forbes, who partnered with market research company Statista to compile this annual list.

WakeMed received the 2023 Alliance Excellence Award from Premier, a leading technology-driven health care improvement company. The recognizes innovative health care providers that demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to health care transformation, using Premier as a key partner. WakeMed was selected from Premier’s nationwide alliance of more than 4,400 U.S. hospitals and 250,000 other provider organizations.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus and Cary Hospital are two of only 259 hospitals nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry 2024 Platinum Performance Achievement Award.

These awards recognize WakeMed’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that we have reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology clinical guidelines and recommendations.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus, WakeMed Cary Hospital and WakeMed North Hospital are Chest Pain Centers accredited by the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Being a designated Chest Pain Center, reinforces that the processes and procedures used by our team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals ensure rapid diagnosis and fast appropriate care, offering our patients the best care and chance to avoid or minimize the damage from a heart attack.

The Society for Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery believes it is important to recognize institutions which have demonstrated exceptional efforts pursuing enhanced recovery programs. WakeMed was selected based on past, ongoing and future endeavors, having demonstrated achievements in several essential areas.

In 2024, WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital achieved Get With the Guidelines — Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

Hospitals recognized with these awards have applied the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus and Cary Hospital Stroke teams continue to receive high honors for their achievements in delivering outstanding care to stroke patients. In 2024, WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital received Get With The Guidelines – Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. 

The WakeMed Stroke Program holds the Gold Seal of Approval for Stroke Care from The Joint Commission, "an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.  Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards."

WakeMed Raleigh Campus is a Thrombectomy-Capable stroke center. WakeMed Cary Hospital is a certified Advanced Primary stroke center.

WakeMed has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral valve repair/replacement (MVRR) procedures. The three-star ratings, which denote the highest category of quality, places WakeMed among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus received a three-star Participation Awards from the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI). WakeMed Cary Hospital received a two-star Participation Award. The awards recognize the importance of active participation in the registry program. VQI’s registries contain demographic, clinical, procedural and outcomes data from more than 1,000,000 vascular procedures performed in the United States, Canada and Singapore and at the patients’ one-year follow-up marks. This data allows centers and providers to compare their performance to regional and national benchmarks and to support their quality improvement initiatives.

According to national data from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), WakeMed Heart & Vascular – Raleigh Campus has the second lowest mortality rate for CABG surgery in the country amongst Medicare patients after Cleveland Clinic.

WakeMed Cardiovascular Testing has received reaccreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Echocardiography. Raleigh Campus (which includes North Hospital) is accredited in the areas of Adult Transesophageal, Adult Stress, and Adult Transthoracic; while Cary Hospital is accredited for Adult Transthoracic. Accreditation by the IAC means that WakeMed’s CV Testing areas have undergone an intensive application and review process and demonstrate a commitment to quality patient care.

Cigna recognizes WakeMed Raleigh Campus as a Center of Excellence in Cardiac Cath and Angioplasty, Heart Surgery and Pulmonology Medical. WakeMed Cary Hospital is recognized as a Cigna Center of Excellence in Pulmonology Medical. To achieve Cigna Center of Excellence designation, a hospital must earn at least five stars (with at least two stars for patient outcomes and two stars for cost efficiency) for that surgical procedure or medical condition.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus is recognized as an Institute of Quality (IOQ) for Cardiac Medical Intervention by Aetna. Facilities earn IOQ status by having high volumes and producing clear clinical results in their area of specialty. This delivers value and quality to members, so you can get back to living your life.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus was named to the 2024 list of America’s Best Cardiac Hospitals, published by Newsweek in partnership with Statista. This list recognizes the institutions that have achieved the highest reputations by delivering quality care with outstanding results.

The American College of Radiology has designated WakeMed Cary Hospital a Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center, making it one of only three in Wake County.  To achieve this designation, Cary Hospital Imaging Services has demonstrated excellence in breast imaging by successfully achieving accreditation in Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Breast Ultrasound and Ultrasound-guided Breast Biopsy.

CT Services at WakeMed Raleigh Medical Park, Cary Hospital, Apex Healthplex, Garner Healthplex and Wendell Healthplex are designated as Lung Cancer Screening Centers by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities for their commitment to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

WakeMed is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation on Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).  CARF accreditation focuses on quality and results. The independent, non-profit organization is committed to "advancing the quality of services you use to meet your needs for the best possible outcomes. CARF provides accreditation services worldwide at the request of health and human service providers."

WakeMed programs that have earned CARF accreditation include:

• Amputee Program
• Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehab
• Brain Injury Specialty Programs
• Spinal Cord System of Care
• Stroke Specialty Program

The WakeMed Stroke Program holds the Gold Seal of Approval for Stroke Care from The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus and Cary Hospital Stroke teams continue to receive high honors for their achievements in delivering outstanding care to stroke patients. In 2024, WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital received Get With The Guidelines – Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

WakeMed Rehab Hospital was named one of the top 50 physical rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. The publication evaluated over 1,000 adult rehabilitation hospitals and ranked the top 50 for their care of patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injuries, severe burns and more.

WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital was recognized as a ‘Ekso Reference Center’ by Ekso Bionics — making us the seventh program in the country to participate in this program. This achievement acknowledges WakeMed’s investment, development and creativity with Ekso over the past decade.

WakeMed has been named a 2024 Wellbeing First Champion by ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare. This annual distinction means that our Medical Staff applications are free from intrusive and stigmatizing language around mental health care and treatment. WakeMed recognizes that supporting and protecting the mental health of our team is paramount to their well-being and to the well-being of our entire community.

WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being won the 2023 i2i Center for Integrative Health Innovations award as an integral participant and partner in the Alliance Health School-Based Team program.

Capital City Surgery Center is one of the nation's best ambulatory surgery centers according to a ranking by Newsweek. This distinction, based on data from Statista, recognizes Capital City Surgery Center as a proven leader in providing the highest level of ambulatory surgery center care.

WakeMed Cary Hospital is accredited as a Comprehensive Center for bariatric surgery by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), in partnership with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

According to the MBSAQIP, this accreditation formally acknowledges WakeMed Cary Hospital for its commitment to providing and supporting quality improvement and patient safety efforts for metabolic and bariatric surgery patients.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) recognizes WakeMed Cary Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ in the area of bariatric surgery. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver quality specialty care based on objective measures for patient safety and better health outcomes.

WakeMed Cary Hospital was named to Money Magazine’s 2024 list of Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery. Cary Hospital was ranked sixth out of the 75 hospitals named to the list, which includes hospitals that excel in offering safe, effective weight-loss procedures led by skilled bariatric surgeons and specialists. 

Each year, Healthgrades recognizes hospitals that deliver superior patient outcomes within specialty service lines as part of the Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards. For 2025, WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital received Specialty Excellence Awards for Surgical Care. Healthgrades evaluates patient mortality and complication rates as well as star ratings and awards to help consumers identify the top-performing hospitals for specialty care.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital have been designated as Blue Distinction Centers by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina for knee & hip surgery. To earn this designation, WakeMed had to meet and exceed national established quality-focused criteria for each specialty area.

This is the highest designation given by the BCBS Association, who oversees this process.

WakeMed is recognized as an Institute of Quality (IOQ) by Aetna for several surgical specialties. Facilities earn IOQ status by having high volumes and producing clear clinical results in their area of specialty. This delivers value and quality to members, so you can get back to living your life.

• WakeMed Raleigh Campus: Spine Surgery; Total Joint Replacement; Cardiac Medical Intervention
• WakeMed Cary Hospital: Bariatric Surgery

Cigna recognizes WakeMed Cary Hospital as a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery and a 3-star Quality Bariatric Center. To achieve Cigna Center of Excellence designation, a hospital must earn at least five stars (with at least two stars for patient outcomes and two stars for cost efficiency) for that surgical procedure or medical condition. To achieve a 3-Star Quality designation, the bariatric treatment facility must be in active status with Cigna as a participating network bariatric treatment center and be Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)-accredited in either Comprehensive or Comprehensive with Adolescent accreditation type.

WakeMed has been named a 2023-2024 Best Hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report, a leader in quality rankings. Raleigh Campus, North Hospital and Cary Hospital achieved this recognition — the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their doctors, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. Additionally, WakeMed’s three hospitals were among a select group recognized for success in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report in honor of Black Maternal Health Week 2024.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health awarded WakeMed Raleigh Campus, Cary Hospital and North Hospital with four stars from the North Carolina Maternity Center Breastfeeding-Friendly Designation Review Committee.

The NC maternity Center Breastfeeding-Friendly Designation initiative was developed to recognize those maternity centers that have taken steps to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding in their organization.

Raleigh Campus, North Hospital and Cary Hospital received top recognition as one of the best maternity care hospitals in the U.S., according to a national ranking by Newsweek based on data from Statista. Newsweek 's 2023 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals spotlights facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families, based on a nationwide online survey. Of the 404 hospitals to make this year’s list, only 168 hospitals—including Raleigh Campus, Cary Hospital, and North Hospital—were given a five-ribbon performance ranking.

WakeMed was voted the best place to have a baby in the 2024 News & Observer Raleigh’s Best Awards program. These awards are voted on by members of the Raleigh and greater Triangle community.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was fourth in the world to earn certification from the NIDCAP (Newborn Individual Developmental Care and Assessment Program) Federation International.

The NIDCAP Nursery Certification acknowledges nurseries that have integrated developmentally supportive and family-centered care into all aspects of care. This award recognizes the WakeMed NICU as an international leader for providing developmentally supportive care for patients as young as 23 weeks gestational age, weighing as little as one pound, and their families.

WakeMed Children's is proud to be a member of the Children's Hospital Association, an organization that advances child health through innovations in the quality, cost and delivery of care.