SOUTHLAKE, Texas — For the first time, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake has earned Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS)*.

“Earning this prestigious certification for the first time is a humbling and gratifying accomplishment,” said Mitch Mulvehill, interim president of Texas Health Southlake. “This demonstrates Texas Health Southlake’s dedication to providing compassionate and advanced orthopedic care to every patient, every time.”

Hiep Nguyen, Pharm.D., M.H.A., B.S.N., R.N., MLS, Spine Surgery Program coordinator at Texas Health Southlake, said the successful certification process involved many individuals and multiple departments.

“We may be small, but we are mighty,” said Nguyen. “From the physicians on the medical staff, the nurses and patient care technicians, to the volunteers at Texas Health Southlake, we promote exemplary healthcare and personal service for spine surgery patients and their families.”

Last year, more than 1.5 million spinal surgeries were performed in the U.S., based on national data. Texas Health Southlake’s medical staff performs more than 300 spinal surgeries every year, Nguyen said, and serves a community of more than 30,000 residents.

“Spinal conditions and other back and neck ailments sometimes hinder a patient’s well-being and that can be frustrating,” Mulvehill said. “Texas Health Southlake is dedicated to providing individuals with the high-quality care they need and deserve, so they can get back to enjoying life.”

Certified facilities must adhere to specific criteria:

• Successfully treating a minimum of 200 patients
• Following established clinical guidelines and procedures
• Collecting performance measurement data
• Participating in a national spine patient registry

Texas Health Southlake completed a rigorous, unannounced on-site review in October. During the two-day visit, a Joint Commission surveyor evaluated patient data, toured the facility, assessed policies and procedures, and reviewed the program’s education and credentialing processes.

The ACSS certification, which lasts two years, assists organizations with consistent communication — from presurgical consultation to surgery, rehabilitation services and follow-up visits with the surgeon.

Click here to learn how Texas Health Southlake provides advanced medical care across North Texas.

*Joint Commission partnered with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Spine Registry and American Joint Replacement Registry (both collaborative efforts of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and AAOS) to develop the advanced orthopedic certification in spine surgery.

**Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake is a joint venture involving Texas Health Resources and physicians dedicated to the community and meets the definition under federal law of a physician-owned hospital. Doctors on the medical staffs practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital. © 2025 Texas Health Resources