Awards and Recognition for Inova Fairfax Medical Campus

Inova Health System has been named one of 61 exceptional healthcare centers across the state to be featured in Virginia Living’s Top Hospitals & Medical Centers 2024. We are proud to be among Virginia's top healthcare facilities, celebrating their commitment to superior care, cutting-edge technology, and outstanding professionals.

Inova is nationally recognized for lung transplantation and offers the D.C. area's first and only lung transplant program. We also partner in national research efforts and hold the following national and international accreditations for our expertise in the treatment of advanced lung diseases:

Alpha-1 Foundation Clinical Resource Center for COPD

American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) Certified Program

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Approved Transplant Center

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Care Center

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) - Accredited Care Center Network (CCN) Site

Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) - Accredited Center of Comprehensive Care

Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTS) – Tier 5

World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG) Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence

American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)

The NAPBC improves all aspects of breast cancer and disease care, including screening, prevention, and early detection, as well as accurate diagnosis, and correct treatments for breast cancer. By setting the highest standards, the NAPBC ensures that breast centers provide the most comprehensive breast care based on scientific evidence about what works best for each and every patient.

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American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC)

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer. The CoC promotes cancer prevention, treatment, survival, education, and ensuring comprehensive, coordinated quality cancer care. The CoC also integrates the latest advances in research and technology.

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Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx)

The advanced radiation oncology centers at Inova Schar Cancer Institute are the first facilities in the world to earn the prestigious Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx) accreditation by the American Society for Radiation Oncology in 2015.

Accredited by the American College of Radiology

Inova Schar Cancer Institute is accredited by the American College of Radiology, demonstrating the highest level of quality and patient safety.

National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence

Inova Fairfax Hospital has been nationally recognized as a National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence. This designation distinguishes Inova Fairfax Hospital as an institution providing the best and most innovative multidisciplinary treatment for pancreatic cancer.

U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Inova Fairfax Medical Campus as "High Performing" for Colon Cancer Surgery and Lung Cancer Surgery.

Becker's Hospital Review

Inova Schar Cancer has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review in its 2023 list of hospitals and health systems with great oncology programs. These organizations have earned national recognition for their work in cancer care. These programs offer leading-edge clinical trials and pioneer research discoveries that expand access to care and enhance patient outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025) #1 in both the Washington, DC Metro Region and all of Virginia.

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus - Ranked "High Performing" in:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair
• Aortic Valve Surgery
• Heart Attack
• Heart Bypass Surgery
• Heart Failure
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology is the most trusted source for outcomes-based quality metrics related to the care of cardiac patients.

Proven Quality Program: Inova is recognized as one of the top health systems in the U.S. for providing top quality care to heart patients. Inova Schar Heart and Vascular is one of only 87 health systems nationwide to receive this designation.

NCDR ACTION Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award: Inova Fairfax Hospital has once again been honored with the American College of Cardiology's MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2024. Inova Fairfax Hospital has earned this prestigious recognition for excellence in the care of myocardial infarction (heart attack) patients every year since 2014. This award underscores our ongoing commitment and success in delivering the highest standard of care for heart attack patients.

Aetna Institutes of Quality^® – Cardiac Care

Each year since 2018, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus has been accredited as an Aetna Institute of Quality Cardiac Care Facility for consistently delivering evidence based, quality care for cardiac medical intervention, cardiac rhythm care, and cardiac surgery.

The Aetna Institutes of Quality (IOQ) network was developed to help patients and their doctors simplify their provider selections. Their accreditation is based on the quality factors of experience, standards, support, and efficiency. Aetna IOQ facilities have been specifically selected for meeting (and surpassing) all of these criteria.

American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab (AACVPR)

Inova Schar Heart and Vascular's comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Inova Loudoun Hospital, and Inova Mount Vernon Hospital are certified for adherence to rigorous national standards and guidelines.

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Beacon Award for Excellence

The Progressive Coronary Care Unit (PCCU) of Inova Fairfax Hospital has received the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).This award recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN's six Healthy Work Environment Standards.

Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award

For the fourth consecutive year, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has been awarded the prestigious Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award for 2024. This recognition highlights their outstanding care and expertise in treating mitral valve conditions. Their commitment to using the latest treatments and achieving superior clinical outcomes continues to set them apart, ensuring they provide the best care for their patients.

Cardiovascular Operating Room Award

The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) team in the Cardiovascular Operating Room at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has earned the 2022 CNOR Strong designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). This is the second year in a row that the team has earned this designation, which represents a commitment to perioperative excellence and outstanding patient care. Certification demonstrates that nurses have validated their mastery of perioperative practice. Research correlates certification with improved patient outcomes. The award is given to operating room departments that have achieved 50 percent or higher certification of eligible perioperative nursing staff; the Inova Schar Heart and Vascular CVOR team has achieved a 76 percent certification rate.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Certified Adult Heart and Adult Lung Transplant Programs

Extracorporeal Life Support Organization

Platinum Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support: The Cardiac, Critical Care and Lung Services teams at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus have been designated a Platinum Level Center of Excellence. This award recognizes the highest level of performance, innovation, satisfaction and quality.

Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC):

Echocardiography (Adult and Pediatric)

Special recognition goes to the Inova Cardiac Diagnostic Services - Fairfax located at the Inova Specialty Center for maintaining its IAC accreditation for 20 consecutive years.

• Cardiac Electrophysiology – Testing and Ablation, Device Implantation, Chronic Lead Extraction
• Nuclear/PET – Nuclear cardiology: RMPI
• Vascular Testing – Peripheral Arterial Testing, Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing; Peripheral Venous Testing

The Joint Commission: Certified Ventricular Assisted Device (VAD) Program

Inova Schar Heart and Vascular is the only hospital in the Northern Virginia area with a ventricular assisted device (VAD) program certified by The Joint Commission.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons: 3-Star Ratings

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) is a national leader in health care transparency and accountability showcasing the quality of surgical outcomes. Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has earned the top rating – 3 stars – in four out of five possible categories for patient care and outcomes in its cardiothoracic surgery program. Only 10-13 percent of all U.S. hospitals receive a three-star rating in any category. The three-star-ratings, which Inova Schar Heart and Vascular has received for multiple years, reflect avoidance of morbidity and mortality. 

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
• Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR)
• AVR+CABG combined

2023 Winner of the TrueNorth Award

The TrueNorth Award recognizes facilities that use certification as a “true north,” guiding their perioperative nursing staff to be lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for excellence and patient safety. Facilities who earn the TrueNorth Award exhibit the highest standards in perioperative certification excellence.

Epilepsy Care

The Inova Epilepsy Center at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is accredited and recertified by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. It has held a level four accreditation, the highest level available, since 2017.

Learn more about the Inova Epilepsy Center

Joint Commission Spine Center of Excellence Designation

Inova Fairfax Hospital has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation as a spine center of excellence by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for healthcare quality and safety in hospitals. This is a nationally recognized standard of care placing Inova among a select group of hospital nationwide to achieve excellence in spine care. The Inova Spine Program uses advanced and innovative pain management, rehabilitation, and surgical treatments to help get you to your best quality of life.

Excellence in Stroke Care: Get With the Guidelines®

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have recognized the Inova Stroke Program at Inova Fairfax Hospital with two Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus recognitions for excellence in stroke care and treatment:

• Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

These recognitions indicate that stroke assessment and services at Inova Fairfax Hospital provide patients with the best chance of survival. Learn more

Multiple Sclerosis

Inova's Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center was as a recognized as a Partner in MS Care by the National MS Society. The national award recognizes healthcare providers who demonstrate knowledge and expertise in treating people with MS. These providers have a relationship with the National MS Society which helps provide patients with the information, resources and support available to assist them in living their best lives.

American Association of Critical Care Nurses: Beacon Award for Excellence

The Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit of Inova Fairfax Hospital has received the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). This award signifies a positive and supportive work environment with strong collaboration between colleagues and leaders. It lauds hospital units that employ evidence-based practices to improve patient and family outcomes.

Excellence in Neurology and Neurosurgery – U.S. News & World Report

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and Inova Alexandria Hospital's departments of Neurology and Neurosciences have been rated High Performing by U.S. News & World Report.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet status

Inova Fairfax Hospital is proud to have once again been designated as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) PTAP Accreditation

The Inova Health System Nurse Residency Program is accredited as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs (PTAP). This accreditation sets the global standard for residency programs that transition registered nurses (RNs) into practice.

The current sites included in this accreditation designation are:

• Inova Alexandria Hospital
• Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
• Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
• Inova Loudoun Hospital
• Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
• Inova HealthPlex – Franconia-Springfield
• Inova Fairfax Hospital – Inpatient Rehabilitation
• Inova Emergency Room – Ashburn HealthPlex
• Inova Loudoun Hospital Cornwall Campus (ER and inpatient behavioral health unit LAMPS)
• Inova HealthPlex – Lorton

The current practice settings included in this accreditation designation are:

• Medical
• Surgical
• Medical-Surgical
• Oncology
• Step Down
• Critical Care
• Labor & Delivery
• Ante/Postpartum
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Pediatrics
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
• Operating Room
• Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit (PACU)
• Same Day/Ambulatory Procedure
• Psychiatric
• Rehabilitation
• Emergency Department

Learn more about our residency program 

Learn more about PTAP

PRISM Award

Awarded to Medicine A unit at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, the PRISM award recognizes exceptional practice in medical-surgical nursing units.

Telemedicine

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus has received the Beacon Award (American Association of Critical Care) for excellence in remote care.

ChildKind Certification 

Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital has achieved certification from ChildKind International, a global organization dedicated to improving the quality of pediatric pain care around the world.

The designation recognizes healthcare facilities that have implemented standardized, institution-wide, collaborative approaches to the prevention and treatment of children’s pain. Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital is the first and only hospital in the Mid-Atlantic area to achieve ChildKind certification.

American College of Surgeons NSQIP Pediatric 

NSQIP Pediatric is the first and only international database measuring performance outcomes across multiple specialties of children's surgery. The program provides efficient and equitable care and shortens time in the hospital. This allows hospitals to track their performance with the most accurate data available, compare with other leading hospitals, and achieve the highest quality of care for children undergoing surgical operations.

Inova Fairfax Hospital Earns Silver Level Safe Sleep Certification 

Inova Fairfax Hospital was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as Silver level for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a national infant safe sleep organization. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Cribs for Kids is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to SUID and accidental suffocation. As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, Inova Fairfax Hospital is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for healthcare team members, and family caregivers.

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National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)

NSQIP is the first nationally validated, outcomes-based program to measure and improve the quality of surgical care. Participating hospitals collect data that provides in-depth analysis, helping surgical teams better understand and tailor care to patient needs. Hospitals participating in this program have been shown to reduce preventable surgical problems to achieve higher quality.
 

American College of Surgeons Children's Surgery Verification (CSV)

Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital is a Level 1 Verified Children's Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program (ACS CSV). The CSV program ensures that every verified hospital meets needs of pediatric patients. This specialized care provides improved outcomes, improved safety protocols, and a standardized quality of care across the many crucial facets of children’s surgery. The Children’s programs are seen nationwide as having improved the quality and outcomes in children undergoing surgery.

Level I centers have specialty trained children's surgeons in every discipline, with pediatric anesthesiologists and dedicated operating rooms for children available 24 hours a day. They also train future leaders in education and research and participate in community outreach.

Go Clear Award™ from the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus received the Go Clear Award™ for its achievement in eliminating hazardous smoke from its surgical procedures.

The Go Clear Award is presented by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) to recognize healthcare facilities that have committed to providing increased surgical patient and health care worker safety by implementing practices that eliminate smoke caused by the use of lasers and electrosurgery devices during surgery. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus earned its award by undergoing comprehensive surgical smoke education and testing and for providing the medical devices and resources necessary to evacuate surgical smoke during all smoke-generating procedures.

Inova is proud to be recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the 150 top places to work in healthcare for 2025.

This national list recognizes hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies that invest in their team member well-being, satisfaction and fulfillment, including benefits, professional development, inclusive work environments and work-life balance.

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Inova is proud to have been named to the Forbes list of Best Employers for Women 2024. To compile this prestigious roster, more than 150,000 women working for U.S. based companies employing at least 1,000 people across all industry sectors were surveyed. More than 4 million employer evaluations were considered. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering support of our female workforce and our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Through the work of the Inova Pride Team Member Resource Group, our hospitals have received rankings within the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), which promotes equitable and inclusive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer patients and their families.

Inova is proud to be a Virginia Values Veterans V3-certified employer, working with the Department of Veterans Services and other strategic partners to support Virginia’s Veterans in the workforce.

Inova is proud to have been named to the Forbes list of Best Employers for Women 2024. To compile this prestigious roster, more than 150,000 women working for U.S. based companies employing at least 1,000 people across all industry sectors were surveyed. More than 4 million employer evaluations were considered. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering support of our female workforce and our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Through the work of the Inova Pride Team Member Resource Group, our hospitals have received rankings within the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), which promotes equitable and inclusive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer patients and their families.

Inova is proud to be a Virginia Values Veterans V3-certified employer, working with the Department of Veterans Services and other strategic partners to support Virginia’s Veterans in the workforce.

A DiversityJobs Employer Member, Inova is committed to building a culture of inclusion and workplace that that inspires a sense of belonging in every team member.

Inova has been recognized as a Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation for Northern Virginia 2023 Champion for Accountability, demonstrating our organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by collecting, sharing, and acting on data about the demographic composition of our owners, senior staff, and board.

Inova Cares for Behavioral Health and Inova Pride Clinic are proud to have been awarded the Equality Allies recognition through Equality Loudoun, which demonstrates that they go beyond passive allyship to be an LGBTQ+ ally to our community, particularly when they are receiving healthcare at Inova.

Inova Fairfax Hospital is one of 53 hospitals nationwide to be named a U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access for providing outstanding care to underserved communities. This new U.S. News designation recognizes hospitals that both excel in quality and provide substantial access to care to socioeconomically disadvantaged patients. We are proud to be one of just a few dozen hospitals in the country to receive this honor and to continue leading the way in promoting health equity and reducing disparities.
 

Inova Health System has received the 2025 System for Change Award, and all five Inova hospitals earned the 2025 Partner for Change Award, from Practice Greenhealth, recognizing our leadership in environmental stewardship across waste reduction, green buildings and sustainable purchasing.

Learn more about Practice Greenhealth

Inova Fairfax Hospital is the only hospital in Northern Virginia certified as a Level I trauma center, with the recognized expertise to care for the most traumatic, life-threatening injuries. Inova Fairfax Hospital Emergency Department receives about 88,000 patients each year.

Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP)

ACS TQIP elevates the quality of care for trauma patients using risk-adjusted benchmarking to provide hospitals with accurate national comparisons.

Trauma: Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC)

The ACS Trauma Verification program sets the standard for the care of injured patients in trauma centers. These standards ensure that the center has the right expertise and is immediately prepared to provide the highest quality of emergency trauma care. These standards are so rigorous that many states use them to designate trauma centers in their region and ACS-verified trauma centers have lower patient mortality rates than non-verified centers.