Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Heart Hospital has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the world’s first specialist cardiology hospital to receive the Planetree Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care at the silver level. The recognition places the Heart Hospital among just 40 healthcare organizations worldwide to be honored with this distinction.

As Qatar’s only tertiary cardiac center, the Heart Hospital delivers a comprehensive spectrum of cardiology and cardiothoracic services. Its clinical offerings range from interventional and non-invasive cardiology to heart failure management, emergency cardiac care, cardiac intensive care, ambulatory services, and rehabilitation. Notably, in 2025, the hospital’s cardiothoracic surgery department performed Qatar’s first-ever heart transplant.

The Planetree certification follows similar achievements by several other HMC facilities and services, including the Ambulatory Care Center, Communicable Disease Center, Women’s Wellness and Research Center, Home Healthcare Service, Enaya and Daam Specialized Care Centers, and the Private Nursing Service.

The silver-level recognition underscores HMC’s ongoing commitment to adopting a person-centered approach one that prioritizes patient needs, values and choices while ensuring a compassionate and supportive experience for families and staff. Certification standards assessed key elements such as patient–provider communication, access to information, family involvement, the physical care environment, and organizational support for staff. The criteria also examined how patients, families, and staff contribute to shaping care delivery and how the hospital extends its support to the wider community.

As part of the assessment, a Planetree delegation conducted an on-site evaluation, engaging directly with patients, families, and staff to verify the hospital’s implementation of person-centered policies. Reviewers also analyzed the hospital’s performance in patient experience and clinical quality metrics, as well as the systems in place to drive continuous improvement.

Planetree is a global nonprofit organization recognized for setting standards in person-centered healthcare. Through its evidence-based framework, Planetree guides institutions in enhancing patient and family engagement, boosting clinical outcomes, strengthening staff recruitment and retention, and increasing the overall value of care.