Saint Joseph London Awarded Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery From The Joint Commission

LONDON, Ky. (Feb. 26, 2025) – Saint Joseph London has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Certification in Spine Surgery, the fourth hospital in Kentucky to earn the certification. The hospital received this certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for spine surgery. The certification evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.

“Providing safe, high-quality care is at the center of everything we do, and this certification reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and enhancing access to advanced clinical care close to home,” said John Yanes, president, Saint Joseph London. “We’re very pleased to provide advanced spine care that helps our patients regain mobility, restore their quality of life, and return to doing what they love.”

Saint Joseph London underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review earlier this month. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Earning this certification is a big milestone for Saint Joseph London and, more importantly, for our patients,” said Vincent DePalma, DO, spine surgeon, Saint Joseph London. “It shows that we’re delivering the highest level of spine care, using the most advanced surgical techniques and maintaining a strong focus on patient safety. Our goal is always to help patients get back to living their lives with less pain and better mobility, and this recognition reinforces that commitment.”

“Certification in Spine Surgery recognizes health care organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Saint Joseph London for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

For more information, visit The Joint Commission website.

For more information about Saint Joseph London, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/saint-joseph-london.

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Saint Joseph London

Saint Joseph London is a 150-bed full-service hospital located in London, Kentucky. Established in 1926, the facility serves patients from southeastern Kentucky, including those from Clay, Laurel, Jackson, Whitley, Knox and Pulaski counties. The current $152 million regional hospital opened in 2010, and offers all private patient rooms, with most overlooking a small lake and garden on the 52-acre healing environment.

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