South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center among the nation’s top 15% for patient experience
San Antonio, TX – May 12, 2026 – South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center announced today that it has been named a 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use to find a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center’s commitment to superior, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for patient experience.
In addition to this recognition for patient experience, South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center was recently honored with numerous accolades based on its exceptional performance in key service areas, including total knee replacement, total hip replacement, and spinal fusion surgery. These achievements further underscore the organization’s commitment to delivering compassionate, individualized care at every step of the patient journey.
Receiving the 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care at every stage of the healthcare journey,” said Angie Kauffman, CEO. “At South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital, we continuously invest in our people, technology, and clinical processes to create an exceptional experience for every patient we serve. From clear communication and personalized care to maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality, this recognition reinforces our dedication to providing outstanding outcomes while upholding our tradition of excellence and legacy of caring.
Each year, Healthgrades recognizes the top hospitals nationwide that provide an exceptional experience for patients during their hospital stay. For its 2026 analysis, Healthgrades evaluated Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) patient survey data from nearly 4,000 hospitals across 10 patient experience measures.*
These measures focus on patients’ perceptions of their hospital care, including staff communication, medication explanations, and cleanliness.South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center’s Outstanding Patient Experience Award is the direct result of positive patient feedback in these critical areas.
“Better patient experiences are correlated with better health outcomes, which is why patients should always strive to seek care at a facility with a clear dedication to high-quality, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Alana Biggers, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “As an Outstanding Patient Experience Award recipient, South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center sets the benchmark for patient experience nationwide, ensuring that every patient feels heard, empowered, and confident throughout the care journey.”
Consumers can visit healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and view the Outstanding Patient Experience Award Methodology. A patient-friendly overview of Healthgrades’ complete methodology is also available here.
*Healthgrades evaluated 3,020 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), covering admissions from January 2024 to December 2024. Hospitals in the bottom 20% for overall clinical quality were excluded from consideration.
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About South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital
Dedicated to the principles of compassion and advanced surgical care, South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and OPC stand as pillars of health and healing within the San Antonio community. Originating from a commitment to address the distinct needs of patients requiring spine, orthopedic, and surgical interventions, our institution has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare hub.
What distinguishes South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and OPC is our steadfast focus on the patient. We customize every aspect of care to suit individual needs, fostering a holistic and personalized healing experience. Our dedication is evident in the collaboration of expert medical professionals, cutting-edge facilities, and an unwavering commitment to providing world-class healthcare services. As a physician-owned hospital, we take an innovative approach to healthcare, crafting an integrated and holistic journey towards successful surgery, a pleasant hospital stay, and a swift recovery.
Our specialized staff is extensively trained and possesses significant experience in orthopedic, spine, and pain management procedures.
About Healthgrades
Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering meaningful connections between patients, doctors, and hospitals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.
For over 20 years, our health system, group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have helped our partners reach and engage consumers on their way to the doctor.
Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central and Bezzy, which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month.