Frye Regional Medical Center Earns National Distinction for Sixth Consecutive Year
June 15, 2026
Frye Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint hospital and Duke Health Affiliate in Heart, has earned the American College of Cardiology’s HeartCARE Center™ National Distinction of Excellence for the sixth consecutive year, a recognition that reflects sustained excellence in cardiovascular quality, safety and patient-centered care.
This designation is awarded to hospitals and health systems that demonstrate excellence in evidence-based cardiovascular care quality improvement and patient-centered outcomes. Frye Regional is one of only three hospitals in North Carolina to earn recognition and remains the only hospital in western North Carolina to achieve this distinction.
“This recognition reflects years of dedication from our physicians, nurses, clinicians and support teams who work every day to advance heart care in our region,” said Lindy White, MBA, FABC, chief executive officer of Frye Regional Medical Center. “Earning this distinction for six consecutive years demonstrates our continued commitment to providing exceptional cardiovascular care and outcomes close to home for the communities we serve.”
The HeartCARE Center designation recognizes hospitals that consistently achieve rigorous standards for quality, safety and patient-centered cardiovascular care.
“For our patients, this recognition provides reassurance that they are receiving care that meets nationally recognized standards for cardiovascular quality and safety,” said John Morrison, MD, FACC, interventional cardiologist at Frye Regional Medical Center. “Achieving this distinction requires a relentless focus on evidence-based care, continuous performance improvement and
coordination across the entire care team. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to delivering the safest, highest-quality care while keeping the patient at the center of every decision we make.”
As a Duke Health Affiliate in Heart, Frye Regional benefits from advanced cardiovascular education, clinical collaboration and access to best practices that support high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
According to the ACC, HeartCARE Center-designated hospitals demonstrate a sustained commitment to cardiovascular excellence through accreditation, participation in national registries, process improvement initiatives, professional education and community outreach. Frye Regional achieved the designation by meeting rigorous quality standards, completing on-site evaluations and actively participating in multiple ACC Accreditation Services programs and National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) initiatives designed to improve guideline-based care and patient outcomes.
In addition to the HeartCARE Center designation, Frye Regional has earned several ACC recognitions, including:
- NCDR Chest Pain - MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award
- Cardiac Catheterization with PCI Accreditation
- Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation.
Nationally recognized heart care
Frye Regional continues to earn national recognition for the quality and breadth of its heart and vascular services.
American Heart Association
- Commitment to Quality Award
- Multiple Get With The Guidelines® recognitions, including:
- STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll
- NSTEMI Silver with Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll
- Gold Plus with Target: Stroke℠ Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll
- Gold Plus with Target: Heart Failure Optimal℠ Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll
- Target: CPR designation for resuscitation care
- Mission: Lifeline® Regional Award
Healthgrades
- Five-Star Recipient for Pacemaker Procedures
- Five-Star Recipient for Defibrillator Procedures
- Five-Star Recipient for Stroke Treatment
U.S. News & World Report
- High Performing Hospital for Pacemaker Implantation
The Joint Commission Accreditations
- Primary Stroke Center Certification
- Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Heart Failure Accreditation
Duke affiliation strengthens advanced heart care
The Frye Regional Heart Center offers advanced cardiovascular services, including mitral and tricuspid valve repair, surgical aortic valve replacement and other structural heart interventions and comprehensive heart failure care. As a Duke Health Affiliate in Heart, the center benefits from the most current training and staff education when it comes to heart care.
Access expert heart care
The Frye Regional Heart Center offers a range of advanced cardiovascular services ranging from structural heart therapies and valve therapies to comprehensive heart failure and interventional cardiology care. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Frye Regional heart specialist, visit FryeMedCtr.com/heart-care or call 828.261.0009.
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