For the 13th consecutive year, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus achievement award. (Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital)

It has been a remarkable year of recognition for Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and the Stony Brook Medicine health system, with national honors highlighting the quality, safety and expertise behind the care our community receives every day.

From being named among America’s best hospitals to earning top marks for quality, women’s health and stroke care, these achievements reflect a shared commitment to providing exceptional care close to home.

Five Stars for Quality

Stony Brook Medicine reached an important milestone in 2026 when its hospitals earned an overall five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — the highest rating awarded by the federal agency. It marked the first time Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital all achieved the five-star distinction. Only 12% of the 3,203 reporting hospitals nationwide received five stars in April 2026.

Among America’s 50 Best Hospitals
For the fourth consecutive year, Stony Brook Medicine was named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for 2026 by Healthgrades, placing the health system among the top 1% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance. Stony Brook Medicine remains the only health system on Long Island to receive this distinction. Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital are collectively assessed for the award.

National Recognition for Women’s Health
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital was also named to Castle Connolly’s 2026 Top Hospitals list, earning National and State Specialty Awards in OB/GYN Surgery and National and State Procedure Awards for C-Section care. More than 6,000 hospitals nationwide were considered for Castle Connolly’s 2026 rankings.

These honors recognize the strength of SBSH’s women’s health programs and the physicians, nurses and clinical teams who provide high-quality care to women and families across the East End.

Recognized for Healthcare Equality
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital was once again named an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader in 2026 by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, receiving a perfect score of 100 on its Healthcare Equality Index. All Stony Brook Medicine hospitals earned this national recognition, which evaluates healthcare facilities on nondiscrimination, staff training, patient services and support, employee policies and community engagement.

For SBSH, the distinction reflects an ongoing commitment to providing welcoming, respectful and inclusive care for every member of our community. That commitment is demonstrated through programs such as Rose Walton Care Services and the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center in Hampton Bays, which provide specialized healthcare and support for LGBTQ+ individuals across the East End.

A Continued Commitment to Stroke Care
For the 13th consecutive year, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus achievement award.

The award recognizes hospitals that consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines designed to improve outcomes for patients experiencing stroke – an especially meaningful distinction in a region where timely access to emergency care can make a critical difference.

Meeting a Critical Need in East Hampton
National recognition is only one measure of the impact of high-quality healthcare. Here on the East End, the Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department is demonstrating what access to care can mean for a community.

In its first 16 months, the Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department cared for nearly 18,000 patients. Patient volume increased 13% during the reported 2026 period, while combined emergency department volume at East Hampton and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital increased 14%.

Stony Brook Medicine leaders have cited the increased volume as evidence of a significant unmet need for emergency care on the South Fork.

Together, these achievements reflect the dedication of the physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals who care for our community every day. They also underscore the importance of continued investment in the programs, services and facilities that help ensure our East End neighbors have access to exceptional healthcare close to home.