New London, CT (July 21, 2026) – Lawrence + Memorial (L+M) Hospital has been reaccreditated by The Joint Commission’s for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS) by demonstrating continuous compliance with rigorous national performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a widely recognized symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality patient care.
In addition to L+M Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital has also achieved this designation. They are among only 25 hospitals nationwide to receive the Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery.
“This national certification reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, safe care for spine surgery patients in a compassionate and supportive environment,” said Patrick Doherty, MD, chief of
Neurosurgery at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and associate professor of clinical Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine. “This designation recognizes L+M Hospital as a center of excellence in spine surgery and is a testament to the dedication of our entire care team, including physician assistants, nurses, therapists, coordinators and physician colleagues.”
Degenerative spine disease is one of the most prevalent and costly health conditions worldwide. Each year, more than 1.2 million spinal surgeries are performed in the United States, including procedures such as spinal fusion, decompression and discectomy. The Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery, developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, helps ensure organizations deliver evidence-based, high-quality care that is measurable and meaningful to both patients and payers.
The certification emphasizes coordinated, patient-centered care across the entire treatment continuum—from the initial consultation and surgical planning through the procedure, hospitalization or ambulatory care, rehabilitation and follow-up. To achieve this designation, organizations must implement evidence-based clinical guidelines, participate in the American Spine Registry, and track key
performance measures, including surgical site infections, neurological outcomes, reoperation rates and patient-reported outcomes.
L+M Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review earlier this year. During the evaluation, a Joint Commission reviewer assessed compliance with certification standards related to program management, clinical care, and patient engagement, and conducted observations and interviews with staff. Joint Commission standards are developed in collaboration with healthcare experts, providers, measurement specialists and patients.
Achieving Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery highlights the strength of L+M’s coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to care. From pre-surgical planning and care coordination to perioperative
management and post-acute recovery, the program’s integrated team model supports optimal outcomes and an improved patient experience.
To learn more about Spine Surgery at L+M Hospital, visit our website at https://www.lmhospital.org/services/neurology-neurosurgery/spine
Lawrence + Memorial (L+M) Hospital, a member of Yale New Haven Health, is a not-for-profit, acute care hospital that has served patients since 1912. L+M is licensed for 308 beds, employs more than 2,000 people and serves shoreline towns between Rhode Island and the Connecticut River, as well as the residents of Fishers Island, NY. L+M provides comprehensive care with expertise in emergency, cardiac, minimally invasive surgery, obstetrics, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and rehabilitation, psychiatric and laboratory services. The Smilow Cancer Hospital in Waterford provides medical oncology, gynecologic oncology and radiation oncology services.www.lmhospital.org
