Hospital for Special Surgery Again Receives Nation’s Highest Honor for Nursing Excellence

First New York State Hospital to Be Awarded Magnet Recognition Six Times

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For an astounding sixth time, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has earned the nation’s top honor for nursing excellence from the Magnet Recognition Program^® of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association.

HSS is the first hospital in New York State to receive Magnet status six times, building upon an already celebrated legacy: It was also the first hospital in Manhattan to earn the coveted status in 2002. Achieving five or more Magnet designations is extremely rare; less than one-half of one percent of Hospitals nationwide have at least six.

“Achieving Magnet status once again underscores our dedication to nursing excellence at HSS,” said Mary Cassai, MPA, RN, HSS Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. “Earning this recognition is a testament to the skill, compassion and dedication our nurses bring to every patient interaction as well as the exceptional care HSS nurses provide.”

Hospitals recognized with Magnet status exemplify excellence in four areas: nursing philosophy and practice, commitment to national standards for patient care, leadership prowess and cultural sensitivity. Organizations must reapply for designation every four years, a rigorous process that includes a thorough evaluation of nursing services, clinical outcomes and patient care, as well as measurement against strategic goals.

“The sixth Magnet designation reaffirms what we at HSS already know: that HSS nurses deliver unparalleled care,” said Ann Marie McDonald, EdD, RN, FACHE, CPHQ, Interim Chief Nursing Executive at HSS. “Our dedication to our mission and core values inspires all of us each day. This is confirmation that the programs we have developed and put into place to ensure the very best patient care are not only successful but also industry standard.”

In addition to promoting nursing excellence and quality patient care, the Magnet culture empowers nurses and interprofessional teams through shared governance, professional development, evidence-based practice, and community outreach. This supportive environment enhances staff engagement, satisfaction, and retention, enabling caregivers to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care.

“We are incredibly proud of our nursing staff for achieving Magnet designation once again,” said HSS President, CEO and Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus Bryan Kelly, MD, MBA. “It reaffirms the central role our nursing teams play at HSS as leaders, innovators, and collaborators in delivering outstanding musculoskeletal care.”

“Our nurses not only deliver the highest quality of patient care but also serve as a resource in the community,” said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, HSS surgeon-in-chief and medical director. “This tremendous honor reflects their tireless efforts to make each patient feel safe, comfortable, and valued while they are with us, and just as importantly, to foster a culture of compassion and support across HSS.”

About HSS

HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 16th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2024-2025). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fifth consecutive year (2025). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.