Frye Regional Recognized by U.S. News & World Report for Pacemaker Implantation

Frye Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint hospital and a Duke Health affiliate in Heart, has been recognized as High Performing for pacemaker implantation in the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals edition. This marks the second consecutive year Frye Regional has earned the distinction, the highest rating awarded in U.S. News’ Procedures & Conditions ratings.

Fewer than half of the hospitals evaluated by U.S. News earned a High Performing designation in any of the procedures and conditions assessed.

“Earning this recognition for the second consecutive year reflects the expertise and dedication of our electrophysiology team and cardiovascular specialists,” said Ankur Tiwari, MD, electrophysiologist at Frye Regional Medical Center. “For patients experiencing heart rhythm disorders, access to advanced treatment close to home can make a meaningful difference. This recognition reinforces our commitment to providing evidence-based care, utilizing advanced technologies and helping patients achieve better heart health and quality of life.”

U.S. News’ annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to help patients and their health care providers make informed decisions about where to receive care for complex conditions and elective procedures.

“This national recognition reflects the exceptional care our physicians, nurses and cardiovascular teams deliver every day,” said Lindy White, MBA, FABC, chief executive officer of Frye Regional Medical Center. “Being recognized for the second consecutive year demonstrates our continued focus on quality, clinical excellence and positive patient outcomes. We are honored to provide patients throughout our region with access to specialized heart rhythm care without having to travel far from home.”

The High Performing designation recognizes hospitals that achieve strong results in quality, safety and patient outcomes.

“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 Frye Regional outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”

U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions, with fewer than half earning recognition in any of those 37 areas of care. The ratings assess hospital performance using objective measures, including risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and patient experience. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from more than 800 million records of patient care.

Duke affiliation strengthens advanced heart care

As a Duke Health affiliate in Heart, Frye Regional Medical Center collaborates with Duke Heart Center specialists to enhance cardiovascular care for patients throughout Catawba and surrounding counties. The affiliation supports advanced clinical education, collaboration on cardiovascular care guidelines and access to specialized expertise, helping bring evidence-based heart care closer to home.

The Frye Regional Heart Center offers a range of advanced cardiovascular services, including structural heart and valve therapies, heart failure management, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology studies and advanced treatments for heart rhythm disorders. For more information about Frye Regional’s cardiovascular services or to schedule an appointment, visit FryeMedCtr.com/heart-care or call 828.261.0009.

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