UNC Department of Anesthesiology is proud to celebrate the national recognition of the Orthopedic Surgery Center of Panther Creek, which has been named one of U.S. News & World Report‘s 2026 Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers. The prestigious designation recognizes ambulatory surgery centers across the United States that demonstrate exceptional performance in patient safety, clinical outcomes, and quality of care. Panther Creek earned this distinction through the collective dedication of its physicians, nurses, anesthesia professionals, and support staff, all of whom share a commitment to delivering outstanding care to every patient.
“The success of Panther Creek reflects what can be achieved when anesthesiologists, CRNAs, nurses, and surgeons work together with mutual trust and a shared commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Tetsuro Sakai, Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology. “This national recognition is a tribute to the remarkable professionalism of our anesthesia team, whose dedication ensures that every patient receives safe, compassionate, and high-quality perioperative care.”
The anesthesia team at Panther Creek provides comprehensive perioperative care for patients undergoing outpatient orthopedic procedures, consistently maintaining the highest standards of safety while supporting an efficient surgical environment. Their close collaboration with Raleigh Orthopedic surgeons, UNC Health colleagues, and perioperative staff has helped establish Panther Creek as a model ambulatory surgery center.
Aaron Lemmon, Chief CRNA at UNC Department of Anesthesiology, reflected on the achievement: “We have a wonderful team of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Anesthesiologists at Panther Creek who have helped contribute to the achievement of this accolade. Their continued focus on delivering patient centered care has allowed them achieve exceptional patient outcomes and experiences.”