Stamford Health has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Gold Standard Top Hospital for 2026, a distinction awarded to only 38 hospitals nationwide, placing the health system among the top 1% of hospitals across the United States. This recognition highlights the organization's dedication to high-quality, person-centered care, as noted by Dr. Rod Acosta, Chief Physician Executive at Stamford Health.
'Recognition from Castle Connolly reflects the unwavering dedication of our physicians and interdisciplinary teams who deliver exceptional, person-centered care to our patients every day,' said Acosta. 'At Stamford Health, we are committed to earning the trust of the communities we serve by combining clinical excellence with compassion, respect, and an individualized approach to each patient's experience.'
Stamford Health is a non-profit independent healthcare system with more than 4,100 employees, operating a 305-bed hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. The organization is nationally recognized for excellence in procedures such as hip replacement, knee replacement, and spine surgery. The health system has also achieved Magnet Recognition® status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the third time since 2016, placing it among 10.5% of U.S. hospitals and one of only seven in Connecticut to receive this honor.
In addition, Stamford Health received a five-star Overall Hospital Quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and an 'A' grade for safety from The Leapfrog Group. The organization was also re-certified with Planetree Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care in 2025, a distinction held by only about 100 organizations worldwide.
Stamford Health provides advanced clinical care through collaborations with leading institutions. It offers orthopedic care in partnership with Hospital for Special Surgery, cardiovascular and neurosurgical procedures with specialists from Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and oncological treatments through a collaboration with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center. The health system also serves as a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, supporting medical education and research.
Castle Connolly's selection process for Top Doctors and Gold Standard Top Hospitals is based on nominations open to all board-certified physicians. Honorees are chosen based on criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors cannot pay to be selected.
