CarolinaEast recognized by U.S. News & World Report, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and Forbes
(New Bern, NC) – CarolinaEast Medical Center has been named by U.S. News & World Report on its 2026-2027 Best Hospitals list as a Best Regional Hospital in the Coastal Plain, and a High Performing hospital for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Colon Cancer Surgery, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Heart Arrhythmia, Heart Attack, Heart Bypass Surgery, Hip Fracture, Kidney Failure, Knee Replacement, and Pacemaker Implantation.
This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
U.S. News’ annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions; less than half earned recognition in any of those 37 areas of care. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each
hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and patient experience.
“When patients face a major surgery or a chronic medical condition, having access to clear, quality data is vital,” said U.S. News’ Managing Editor and Chief of
Health Analysis Ben Harder. “A ‘High Performing’ rating means that CarolinaEast outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”
CarolinaEast Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2026. CarolinaEast is one of only 350 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.
The award recognizes CarolinaEast’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that CarolinaEast has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. CarolinaEast has also once again earned the HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence and currently boasts an accredited Cardiac Cath Lab Center with PCI, Chest Pain Center with PCI, and Heart Failure Center by ACC Accreditation Services.
CarolinaEast has also recently received the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure Rural Recognition Silver and Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze. These awards recognize CarolinaEast’s commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer readmissions to the hospital. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Forbes has named CarolinaEast Medical Center on its Top Hospitals 2026 list. The prestigious distinction reflects the excellence and dedication of local health care teams. According to Forbes, these ratings are designed to evaluate general acute care hospitals in the U.S. and can be used as a resource for patients to find hospitals that can offer top-notch, high-value medical services.
“These recognitions reinforce what our patients and families experience every day: outstanding care delivered by a team that is committed to excellence,” said Michael Smith, President and CEO of CarolinaEast Health System. “Whether treating complex heart conditions, providing lifesaving emergency care, or supporting patients through recovery, our team works tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes. We are proud to offer nationally recognized care
right here in eastern North Carolina.”
This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
U.S. News’ annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions; less than half earned recognition in any of those 37 areas of care. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each
hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and patient experience.
“When patients face a major surgery or a chronic medical condition, having access to clear, quality data is vital,” said U.S. News’ Managing Editor and Chief of
Health Analysis Ben Harder. “A ‘High Performing’ rating means that CarolinaEast outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”
CarolinaEast Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2026. CarolinaEast is one of only 350 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.
The award recognizes CarolinaEast’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that CarolinaEast has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. CarolinaEast has also once again earned the HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence and currently boasts an accredited Cardiac Cath Lab Center with PCI, Chest Pain Center with PCI, and Heart Failure Center by ACC Accreditation Services.
CarolinaEast has also recently received the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure Rural Recognition Silver and Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze. These awards recognize CarolinaEast’s commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer readmissions to the hospital. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Forbes has named CarolinaEast Medical Center on its Top Hospitals 2026 list. The prestigious distinction reflects the excellence and dedication of local health care teams. According to Forbes, these ratings are designed to evaluate general acute care hospitals in the U.S. and can be used as a resource for patients to find hospitals that can offer top-notch, high-value medical services.
“These recognitions reinforce what our patients and families experience every day: outstanding care delivered by a team that is committed to excellence,” said Michael Smith, President and CEO of CarolinaEast Health System. “Whether treating complex heart conditions, providing lifesaving emergency care, or supporting patients through recovery, our team works tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes. We are proud to offer nationally recognized care
right here in eastern North Carolina.”
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About CarolinaEast Medical Center
CarolinaEast Health System has been serving the growing needs of the coastal North Carolina community since 1963. In addition to the system’s flagship, 350 bed CarolinaEast Medical Center, CarolinaEast includes a rehabilitation hospital, free- standing surgery center, the SECU Comprehensive Cancer Center, and numerous CarolinaEast Physician practices providing primary and specialty care for all phases of life from offices in four counties.
CarolinaEast Health System
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Brandy Popp Public Relations Director
- August 17, 2026
- (252) 633-8154
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