Adventist Health Bakersfield Earns Elite Heart Care Honor
Adventist Health Bakersfield has earned national recognition as a HeartCARE Center by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), becoming the only hospital in the Central Valley and among just 100 hospitals across the country to earn the organization’s highest distinction for excellence in cardiovascular care. The designation recognizes hospitals that demonstrate a sustained commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered heart care through accreditation, data-driven performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement.
The recognition reinforces Adventist Health Bakersfield’s position as a destination hospital for heart care, providing advanced cardiac services, specialized expertise, and nationally recognized outcomes for patients throughout Central California.
"This designation is a powerful affirmation of the extraordinary care our providers, nurses, and clinical teams provide our community members every day," said Jenny Lavers, operations executive at Adventist Health Central California Network. "As the only hospital in the Central Valley to receive such recognition, Adventist Health Bakersfield continues to set the standard for cardiovascular care in our region. Patients and families can trust that they have access to nationally recognized heart care, delivered by a team committed to excellence, innovation, and exceptional outcomes."
The HeartCARE Center designation is the highest recognition awarded by the ACC and is reserved for hospitals that meet rigorous standards for quality improvement, clinical excellence, and adherence to evidence-based care guidelines. Hospitals earning the designation participate in multiple ACC Accreditation Services programs, national cardiovascular registries, and targeted initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes.
The recognition adds to a growing list of honors earned by Adventist Health Bakersfield for clinical excellence and patient care, including:
- 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
- 2026 American Heart Association Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite recognition
- 2026 American Heart Association Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition
- 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Bronze Plus Award
- 2026 American College of Cardiology Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award
- Spring 2026 Leapfrog Group’s “A” Hospital Safety Grade for patient safety
- Best Hospital in The Bakersfield Californian’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Poll
Together, these recognitions highlight Adventist Health Bakersfield’s commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care across the continuum of cardiovascular, stroke services, and beyond.
“Our care and support teams work collaboratively to ensure every patient receives the highest standard of cardiovascular care,” said Diwata Somera, RN, MSN, CCRN, AACC, director of cardiac services at Adventist Health Central California Network. “This designation is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and compassion of our entire cardiovascular team. It reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in advanced technology, highly specialized providers, and a patient-centered culture focused on achieving exceptional outcomes for every individual we serve."
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, making access to expert cardiac care more important than ever.
