Thursday, October 1, 2026
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream is being recognized as one of the top hospitals in New York State for joint replacement, following new ratings released by Healthgrades.
The hospital is part of Long Island Jewish Medical Center, which also includes Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in Queens. Together, the LIJ campuses have been ranked No. 2 statewide for joint replacement and are among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement.
The recognition highlights outcomes for knee and hip replacement procedures. It places LIJ Valley Stream alongside other Northwell Health hospitals, including North Shore University Hospital and Syosset Hospital, which were also named to the national list. It marks the first time the LIJ program has achieved this rank within New York.
Jason Tan, president of LIJ Valley Stream, said the hospital’s progress is the result of a long-term effort. According to Tan, the orthopedic program has been in development for about seven years, involving working groups, process redesign and a focus on all aspects of the patient experience, from clinical care to rehabilitation and food service.
“We are very proud and it’s really reflective of everyone’s efforts, as well as passion towards making our program the best that it can be,” Tan said.
The award reflects the staff’s sustained work to build an orthopedic program that now performs a high volume of procedures in multiple subspecialties, including joint, spine, ankle and shoulder surgeries.
Tan also noted that LIJ Valley Stream was a major contributor to the overall Healthgrades recognition attributed to the LIJ system. He said the Valley Stream campus performs the majority of orthopedic procedures within the LIJ network and has established itself as the primary orthopedic hospital for the system, which he believes played a significant role in earning the ranking.
“My hope is that there’s a level of trust that comes with an award like this, so that when they come here, they are trusting that they’re going to get top-notch care,” Tan said. “That they understand the commitment that we have made to them, that as they go through this procedure, they’re in very good hands. An award like this is more than just a sticker or a pin; this really shows the community how much effort we’ve really put into the orthopedic program here.”
While the program handles many cases, the hospital maintains an individualized approach to treatment, tailoring elements such as meals and rehabilitation plans for each patient.
Healthgrades evaluated hospitals nationwide on outcomes for procedures such as knee and hip replacement, back and neck surgery and rotator cuff repair. The analysis found better recovery rates at facilities that earned recognition for outpatient orthopedic surgery. LIJ Valley Stream received several specific honors, including the Joint Replacement Excellence Award, Five-Star ratings for both total knee and total hip replacement and the Outpatient Total Knee Replacement Five-Star designation.
Dr. James Germano, chair of orthopedics at LIJ Valley Stream, said the hospital’s orthopedic program was built around the concept of a community facility supported by the resources of a large health system. The hospital’s size allows for a personal atmosphere, while Northwell Health’s backing provides access to advanced technology, specialized staff and surgical robotics.
Germano said the program is a coordinated effort involving surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, case managers and support staff. The team prepares patients well in advance of surgery, planning for discharge and rehabilitation before the first appointment. Multiple departments are trained specifically in orthopedic care, from the operating room to recovery and inpatient units. He cited private rooms, early mobility protocols and attention to comfort — including food service — as elements that contribute to patient satisfaction.
“When we went to create this program, we weren’t saying, ‘oh, let’s be top, whatever, top in New York State or top in the country,’” Germano said. “We just wanted to take good care of our patients and do the best we possibly could for them, and in doing those things, that’s what puts you on top.”
Both Tan and Germano pointed to innovation as a continued priority. LIJ Valley Stream has already introduced artificial intelligence-assisted surgical tools, and the hospital is exploring new robotic and computer-guided technologies across joint and spine procedures. Tan said additional surgeon recruitment is part of the plan to grow the site into a wider orthopedic destination, while Germano said the program will continue expanding outpatient surgery, with more patients going home the same day.
The recent Healthgrades ranking reflects the program’s guiding goal: to focus on patient care first and let recognition follow. Both leaders described the award as a milestone rather than an endpoint, with the aim of further improving outcomes, efficiency and patient experience at LIJ Valley Stream.
