Oklahoma Heart Institute TAVR program ranked #19 in nation and #1 in Oklahoma by U.S. News & World Report

Oklahoma Heart Institute TAVR program ranked #19 in nation and #1 in Oklahoma by U.S. News & World Report

Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South and Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital also recognized for high performance across heart care, diabetes, cancer treatment, back surgery and other specialty services.

TULSA, Okla. (Aug. 27, 2026) - Oklahoma Heart Institute, part of Hillcrest HealthCare System and home to one of the nation's leading structural heart programs, has been ranked nineteenth in the United States out of more than 800 TAVR programs and No. 1 in Oklahoma by U.S. News & World Report for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the publication's 2026-2027 Best Hospitals edition. The program also earned a High Performing rating for TAVR. Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South and Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital were also recognized as High Performing for multiple procedures and specialties. High Performing is the highest distinction a healthcare provider can earn as part of U.S. News' Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.

The recognition for TAVR builds on Oklahoma Heart Institute's longstanding leadership in advanced cardiovascular care and places the program among the top TAVR programs nationally. Structural heart specialist Kamran Muhammad, MD, FACC, FSCAI, performed Tulsa's first TAVR procedure in 2012 and has helped establish Oklahoma Heart Institute as a destination for innovative heart care and cardiovascular research.

"Our goal has always been to ensure patients in our region have access to the same innovative therapies and research opportunities available at the nation's other leading cardiovascular centers," said Dr. Muhammad. "Clinical research plays a critical role in advancing patient care, and we're proud that Oklahoma Heart Institute continues to bring promising new technologies and treatment options to our region."

Hillcrest Medical Center rated high performing for:

• Diabetes
• Heart arrhythmia
• Heart attack
• Heart bypass surgery
• Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma
• Pacemaker implantation
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

Hillcrest Hospital South rated high performing for:

• Back surgery (spinal fusion)
• Diabetes
• Ear, nose and throat surgery
• Kidney failure

Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital rated high performing for back surgery (spinal fusion).

"This recognition is a testament to the outstanding commitment of our providers and care teams across Hillcrest," said Jeff Johnston, Hillcrest HealthCare System CEO. "We remain focused on what matters most: providing high-quality, compassionate care to every patient we serve."

Fewer than half of the thousands of hospitals evaluated earned a High Performing designation in the types of care evaluated by U.S. News.

U.S. News' annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

"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 Hillcrest 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; less than half earned recognition in any of those 37 areas of care. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital's performance based on objective measures such as 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.

About Oklahoma Heart Institute
As the cardiovascular institute of Hillcrest HealthCare System, Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) is a nationally recognized cardiovascular program providing advanced heart and vascular care across Oklahoma and the surrounding region. For more than 30 years, OHI has combined nationally recognized physicians, state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to advancing cardiovascular care to deliver comprehensive services - from prevention and diagnostics to structural heart interventions, open-heart surgery and rehabilitation. A leader in cardiovascular research and clinical trials, OHI helps expand access to emerging therapies and advanced treatment options while advancing the future of heart care through expertise, innovation and compassionate care.

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.