9/23/2026
ERIE, Pa. — UPMC Hamot is rated 10th in the nation for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the annual U.S. News & World Report 2026-2027 Best Hospitals listing. The recognition reflects UPMC Hamot's leadership in providing advanced heart valve care for people throughout northwest Pennsylvania and neighboring communities in New York and Ohio. Among more than 800 TAVR programs nationwide, UPMC Hamot earned the highest rating in Pennsylvania.
UPMC Hamot was the first hospital in northwest Pennsylvania to perform TAVR, launching its program in 2012. Since then, the hospital has performed nearly 1,800 procedures, helping people with severe aortic stenosis access a minimally invasive treatment that can improve quality of life and restore healthy blood flow through the heart.
“What matters most is what this means for the people we serve," said Brian Durniok, president, UPMC Hamot. "When you are facing a serious heart condition, being able to receive highly specialized care close to home can make an enormous difference. It means less time traveling, greater support from family and loved ones and confidence that some of the nation's most advanced heart care is available locally. That's why UPMC is always investing in the expertise, technology and clinical programs that elevate care capabilities within our communities.”
Aortic stenosis can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness and a shortened lifespan. When the aortic valve narrows, it cannot open or close properly, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. Over time, the condition can weaken the heart, impair its function and increase the risk of heart failure or sudden cardiac death.
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces the diseased aortic valve without the need for traditional open-heart surgery. Once used primarily for patients who were not candidates for surgery, TAVR is now often recommended for many low-risk patients as well.
The TAVR recognition is part of a broader record of cardiovascular excellence at UPMC Hamot. U.S. News also recognized the hospital as high performing in heart attack care, abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment, aortic valve surgery and heart bypass surgery, reflecting the depth and strength of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Hamot.
"Our TAVR program has been built through the dedication of skilled physicians, nurses and clinical teams who are committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for our patients," said Quentin M. Orlando, D.O., TAVR program director, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Hamot. "This national distinction reflects the expertise, innovation and collaboration that have made UPMC Hamot a destination for advanced cardiovascular care. We are honored that people can access one of the nation's highest-rated TAVR programs right here in Erie."
U.S. News evaluates hospitals using measures such as survival rates, prevention of complications, patient outcomes, procedure volumes and other quality indicators.
UPMC Hamot earned 2026-2027 U.S. News high-performing recognition in seven procedures and conditions: TAVR, abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment, heart attack care, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, lung cancer surgery and back surgery (spinal fusion).
For more information about the U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, ratings and methodology, visit U.S. News & World Report.
Photo (click for high-resolution version)
Caption: UPMC Hamot HVI team (left to right): Leslie Lewis, P.A., Robert Maholic, D.O., Quentin Orlando, D.O., Francis Ferdinand, M.D., Anthony Weber, M.D.
Credit: UPMC
