Woodland Heights Medical Center Recognized for Excellence with ACC HeartCARE Center Designation

12/30/2025

Lufkin Texas (December 30, 2025) – The American College of Cardiology has recognized Woodland Heights Medical Center for its demonstrated commitment to comprehensive, high-quality culture and cardiovascular care. Woodland Heights was once again awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence in December based on meeting accreditation criteria, and through their ongoing performance registry reporting.

Hospitals and health systems that have earned an ACC HeartCARE Center designation have met a set of criteria, including participating in at least two ACC Accreditation Services programs, NCDR registries and targeted quality improvement campaigns, such as Patient Navigator Program: Focus MI, that are designed to help hospitals and institutions close gaps in guideline-based care. Woodland Heights was previously awarded the Chest Pain Center with PCI, Cath Lab with PCI and Electrophysiology Accreditations by ACC Accreditation Services.

“Woodland Heights has demonstrated its commitment to providing Lufkin and the surrounding communities with excellent heart care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., MPH, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board. “ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award Woodland Heights Medical Center with the HeartCARE Center designation.”

Hospitals receiving the HeartCARE Center designation from the ACC have demonstrated their commitment to consistent, high-quality cardiovascular care through comprehensive process improvement, disease and procedure-specific accreditation, professional excellence, and community engagement. Woodland Heights has proven to be a forward-thinking institution with goals to advance the cause of sustainable quality improvement.

“Earning the HeartCARE Center™ National Distinction of Excellence once again is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered cardiac care,” states Woodland Heights CEO Jose Echavarria. “This recognition reflects the knowledge, collaboration, and compassion our physicians and caregivers bring to our patients every day.” The ACC offers U.S. and international hospitals like Woodland Heights access to a comprehensive suite of cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care.

Charity Fennell, Cath Lab/Cardiac Rehab Director and Vivek Mangla, M.D., Medical Director of Cath Lab/EP and Cardiac Rehab at Woodland Heights stand with members of the Cardiac Cath Lab and Cardiac Rehabilitation teams.

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