Northwell care facilities ranked among America’s best by US News

Despite the complex challenges faced by Northwell Health’s four nursing homes and short-term-rehabilitation facilities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, each received a high-performance rating from US News & World Report’s annual Best Nursing Home report. US News’s data recognizes top-rated facilities in all 50 states and offers important guidance to families and health care providers caring for people in need of short-term rehab or a nursing home.

Northwell nursing homes ranked among the top 8 percent of high-performing facilities in the nation and its short-term rehab care centers rated top 12 percent of similar programs.

Northwell short-term rehab facilities recognized for their top-quality care include:

· Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation, Manhasset (256 beds)

· Orzac Center for Rehabilitation, Valley Stream (120 beds)

· Peconic Bay Skilled Nursing Facility, Riverhead (60 beds)

· Northern Westchester Hospital Transitional Care Unit, Mount Kisco (12 beds)

“We recognize the sacrifice by staff at all of our facilities in the nearly two years of the pandemic to achieve the highest level of quality care and keep residents, staff and visitors safe,” said Gerard Kaiser, executive director of skilled nursing facility services at Northwell Health. “I’m extremely proud of all of our staff members and our entire team that achieved these prestigious quality ratings and continue to succeed. We benefitted by being part of a large health system ensuring that clinical expertise, guidance and support has always been available.”

This year’s US News rating includes comprehensive information about care, including COVID-19 vaccination requirements for residents and staff, as well as flu and pneumonia vaccine rates.

“Due to New York State COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which required all hospital workers and staff to be vaccinated in late September, all Northwell employees – including short-term rehab and nursing home staff – are 100 percent vaccinated,” Mr. Kaiser said. “We also have a high COVID-19 vaccination rate among residents and we offer booster shots as well, creating the safest environment possible.”

To compile rankings, U.S. News analyzed public data through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Researchers looked at several quality and safety outcomes. The report recognized 1,063 facilities as “high-performing” out of the 13,175 nursing homes with long-term care rating, and 1,651 facilities as “high-performing” out of the 13,500 nursing homes with short-term care ratings.

The Best Nursing Homes 2021-2022 report is available at:

https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes