Sarasota Memorial Hospital- Sarasota has received the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award for the third time from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for a demonstrated record of superior clinical outcomes resulting from evidence-based, guideline-directed degenerative mitral valve repair. Mitral valve repair is often the preferable treatment for patients with degenerative mitral valve disease because it is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications compared to valve replacement. The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award was created in partnership by the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation to identify, recognize and promote the nation’s recognized medical centers for mitral valve repair surgery, and provide patients and referring physicians with the resources needed to make a well-informed choice regarding the best heart team for mitral valve repair surgery. Sarasota Memorial earned the award for the third consecutive year, demonstrating adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs. Patients and physicians who are interested in learning more about Sarasota Memorial Hospital's mitral valve repair program can visit smh.com/heart. More information about the American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award is available at on www.heart.org.