South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center is recognized as a leader in patient experience within the healthcare industry, signifying the best practices businesses should consider implementing in a new year.
DATELINE, January 16, 2026 – South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center today announced that it has been named a 2025 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the global leader in healthcare experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in patient experience.
As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award®, South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center is in the top 5% of healthcare providers in delivering patient experience in the last year. South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center achieved this distinction by embedding patient-centered practices into every stage of care, from preoperative education and shared decision-making to post-surgical follow-up and recovery.By prioritizing clear communication, genuine connection, and tight coordination across our clinical teams, we’ve built a care environment where patients feel informed, respected, and truly supported. We actively use real-time feedback from patients and caregivers to refine workflows, remove friction, and raise the bar on comfort and consistency, so exceptional experience is not the exception, it’s the standard.
Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care.
“South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center is showing what it truly means to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “Their deep commitment to both patients and caregivers is creating a culture where empathy drives action—and where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s a privilege to stand beside them on this journey.”
“This recognition is a powerful reflection of the culture our physicians, nurses, and staff have built together—a tradition of excellence and a legacy of caring that guides everything we do,” said Angie Kauffman, Chief Executive Officer of South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center. “We believe outstanding outcomes begin with outstanding experiences. Being named a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award winner affirms our commitment to treating every patient with compassion, dignity, and clinical excellence, and we are incredibly proud of our team for delivering on that promise every day.
Looking ahead to 2026, South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center is expanding its patient experience initiatives through enhanced digital engagement, streamlined care coordination, and continued investment in staff development and innovation. With an exciting roadmap focused on access, education, and personalized care, the organization remains committed to setting new standards for outpatient surgical excellence. To learn more about South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center, visit www.southtexassurgical.com.
About Press Ganey
Press Ganey is a leading global provider of experience technology, data analytics, and insights that help companies better understand and serve their customers, employees, and stakeholders. It serves more than 43,000 clients globally across healthcare, financial services, hospitality, market research, professional services, retail, and technology.
About South Texas Spine & Surgical and Outpatient Center
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.
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