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Surgery Center Earns Dual Advanced Orthopedic Certification
September 18, 2025
The Hartford HealthCare Hartford Surgery Center (HSC) has become the first ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in Connecticut — and one of only 10 in the nation — to earn dual Advanced Orthopedic Certification in both Total Joint Replacement and Complex Spine Surgery, reaffirming Hartford HealthCare’s national position as a leader in quality and safety.
“At Hartford HealthCare, we set the standard for excellence in patient care. Earning this prestigious certification in Total Joint Replacement and Complex Spine Surgery — being first in Connecticut and among only 10 nationwide — affirms that commitment,” said Michael Miranda, MD, Physician-in-Chief, Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital. “We are deeply honored by this recognition and remain fully dedicated to advancing innovation, and delivering the highest quality, and safest care to our patients.”
Awarded by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), this prestigious certification recognizes ASCs that demonstrate excellence across the entire continuum of orthopedic care — including clinical quality, patient safety, surgical outcomes and care coordination.
“This national recognition shines a spotlight on our commitment to providing the best, safest, most accessible care to our community and beyond,” said Cheryl Ficara, RN, MS, president of Hartford Hospital and senior vice president of Hartford HealthCare. “Hartford Hospital takes great pride in being home to this exceptional ambulatory surgery center. Thank you to our partner physicians and team members who ensure exceptional quality every day and to our community for trusting us with their care.”
Founded in 2017, Hartford Surgery Center is a joint venture between Hartford HealthCare, local surgeons and Constitution Surgery Alliance. The facility features five advanced operating rooms and offers a wide range of outpatient orthopedic services, including hand, shoulder, knee, foot and ankle procedures, complex spine surgeries, total joint replacements and pain management treatments.
Achieving dual Advanced Orthopedic Certification in Total Joint Replacement and Complex Spine surgery at HSC underscores Hartford HealthCare’s ongoing mission to bring innovative, accessible and top-tier care to all.
“This dual certification reflects the unwavering commitment of our nurses, staff and physicians to deliver the highest quality orthopedic care,” said Cheryl Parent, RN, Administrator at Hartford Surgery Center. “We are proud to be the first in the state — and one of a select few in the country — to achieve this level of recognition.”
“Earning this dual certification underscores Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to innovation and excellence in surgical care. Very few teams across the country can do what we do in an ambulatory setting,” said Steve Zhou, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and board member at Hartford Surgery Center. “Spinal fusions, including robotics, along with other high-acuity cases are safely and successfully performed here thanks to a team-based approach and the use of the latest innovations in outpatient surgery.”
By earning certification in both total joint replacement and complex spine, HSC has demonstrated its ability to deliver best-in-class clinical and patient safety outcomes for high-acuity, technically advanced surgeries in an ambulatory environment.
“We are redefining what’s possible in outpatient surgery,” said Raymond Sullivan, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Director at Hartford Surgery Center. “Patients have access to highly coordinated care that is delivered by teams who are solely focused on surgical outcomes that meet the highest national standards. I’m grateful to work with the teams who help us on this mission.”