Stony Brook University Hospital ICUs Achieve Center of Excellence Designation for Advancing Critical Care and Improving Patient Outcomes

STONY BROOK, NY, June 2, 2026 - Three of Stony Brook University Hospital's intensive care units (ICUs) have been designated Centers of Excellence by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). The Medical, Surgical and Cardiovascular ICUs each earned the Bronze designation for implementing evidence-based practice from the ICU Liberation component of the program. This designation is a representation of Stony Brook Medicine's commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing critical care. Stony Brook University Hospital is one of only three institutions in the entire country to earn this distinction.

"This recognition highlights the strength of Stony Brook Medicine's multidisciplinary approach to critical care and our continued investment in clinical excellence," said William A. Wertheim, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President at Stony Brook Medicine. "As one of only three institutions in the nation to earn this elite distinction speaks to the innovation, collaboration and unwavering compassion our teams bring to patients and families every day."

"Having our ICUs recognized as Centers of Excellence is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the extraordinary dedication of our critical care teams,"  said Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer of Stony Brook University Hospital. "Our teams are committed to advancing evidence-based practices that improve recovery, reduce complications and provide the highest level of care for some of our most critically ill patients."

To earn this national designation, Stony Brook University Hospital participated in the ICU Centers of Excellence Program from the SCCM, which equips ICU teams with expert-developed training, tools, and support to improve patient care and drive continuous quality improvement. Stony Brook University Hospital's ICUs completed educational modules, participated in multiprofessional team collaboration, and received expert coaching in ICU Liberation, driving meaningful improvements in patient care.

ICU Liberation, the first component of the program, is a global initiative led by SCCM to improve post-ICU outcomes. It focuses on evidence-based practices including reducing delirium, minimizing sedation, improving pain management, promoting early mobility, and improving long-term outcomes for critically ill patients.

Stony Brook University Hospital was one of 3 pilot sites for the ICU Centers of Excellence Program. As a pilot site, the hospital assessed the data collection demands of the program - helping streamline solutions to enhance the program's feasibility and efficiency going forward. This program was facilitated by Stony Brook's Biomedical Informatics (BMI) department through advanced analytics and automated data systems that delivered actionable insights to support patient care.

For more information, visit sccm.org/excellence.

About Stony Brook University Hospital:

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) is Long Island's premier academic health center. With 628 beds, SBUH serves as the region's only tertiary care center and Regional Trauma Center, and is home to the Stony Brook University Heart Institute, Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Stony Brook Children's Hospital and Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute. SBUH also encompasses Suffolk County's only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center, state-designated AIDS Center, state-designated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, state-designated Burn Center, the Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence, and Kidney Transplant Center. It is home of the nation's first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. To learn more, visit stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbuh.

About the Society of Critical Care Medicine:

The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) is the largest nonprofit medical organization dedicated to promoting excellence and consistency in the practice of critical care. With members in more than 90 countries, SCCM is the only organization that represents all professional components of the critical care team. Visit sccm.org for more information. Follow SCCM on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.