HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Among Nation’s Elite Hospitals for Open Heart Surgery
~Hospital earns its fifth consecutive three-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT WALTON BEACH, FLA. – November 10, 2025 - HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital announces the achievement of a fifth three-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for the hospital’s outstanding performance in isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedures. The three-star rating is the highest accolade bestowed by STS, and it solidifies HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital's position among the nation's elite institutions for open-heart surgery.
“Our team earning the prestigious three-star STS rating for the fifth consecutive time is a monumental achievement that speaks volumes about the quality care that they provide,” said KC Donahey, CEO, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “For our community, this means one thing - they do not have to travel far for the highest quality of care. They can get it right here at home.”
Renowned for its rigorous evaluation process, STS bases its ratings on exceptional quality process measures and outcomes measures. In addition to the three-star rating, the hospital's Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery program has exhibited steady and continuous improvement in various key metrics, reinforcing its standing as a leader in the field of nearly 1,000 facilities evaluated.
“To achieve this rating five times in a row is proof of our team’s unparalleled level of talent, procedural discipline, and coordinated teamwork,” said Dr. Jean-Luc Delafontaine, cardiothoracic surgeon, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “This sustained level of excellence means we are continually delivering superior outcomes for our patients and giving our community the absolute best chance at a long and healthy life!”
Within the STS database, only 22% of those providing isolated CABG procedures achieved the coveted three-star rating. HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital's achievement places it among the top performers of the facilities analyzed for the period ending June 25, 2025.
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As the state’s largest cardiovascular network, HCA Florida Healthcare connects patients to a full spectrum of heart, lung and vascular treatments and services. For more details about HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, visit our website.
