Children’s Arthur M. Blank Hospital Earns Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center Reverification from the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma
ATLANTA (July 13, 2026) – The trauma center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital has been reverified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT). Arthur M. Blank Hospital became a Level 1 Trauma Center following its opening in September 2024. The verification from the ACS recognizes Children’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.
Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and the highest level of institutional performance, as outlined by the ACS COT in its current manual, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.
“Arthur M. Blank Hospital is excited to receive ACS reverification as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center,” said Rana Roberts, Director of Trauma and Transport at Children's. “This recognition celebrates the incredible professionals who provide the highest level of care for every child that comes through our doors and make a difference for families across Georgia.”
There are two levels of ACS pediatric trauma center verification, each defined by specific standards that speak to the important roles of the center in serving its community. These standards clarify the care that must be available to the injured patient at the facility, along with other expectations related to research and educational contributions to advance the field and to ensure the availability of highly qualified trauma providers in the future.
The ACS Trauma Verification, Review, and Consultation (VRC) Program helps hospitals evaluate and improve their trauma care. It provides an objective, external review of a trauma center’s resources and performance. A team of trauma experts completes a site review of the hospital. The team assesses relevant components of the program including their regional roles, the availability of physical and health human resources, policies, patient care protocols, and the hospital’s quality improvement processes. Of note, patients cared for in ACS-verified trauma centers have a lower risk of death and improved quality of life compared with patients in non-verified centers.
Importantly, the ACS does not designate trauma centers. Instead, it verifies compliance with the standards listed in the manual, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. A facility earns the title of “designated trauma center” when it meets the requirements of government or other authorizing entities.
As an ACS-verified trauma center, Arthur M. Blank Hospital also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies a hospital’s dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. The Surgical Quality Partner designation lets patients know Arthur M. Blank Hospital is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and has been verified or accredited by the ACS. Patients can trust that the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality.
"ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital’s surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, Arthur M. Blank Hospital has shown a commitment providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion, and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement," said ACS Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS.
Scottish Rite first earned Level II Pediatric Trauma Center verification in 2022. Together, Arthur M. Blank Hospital and Scottish Rite are among the highest-volume pediatric trauma centers in the U.S., reinforcing Children’s commitment to providing the highest level of care for injured patients.
For more information:
Allyson Wright
404-785-7253
Allyson.Wright2@choa.org
About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
As the only freestanding pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is the trusted leader in caring for kids. The not-for-profit organization’s mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow through more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top healthcare professionals, and leading research and technology. Children’s is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, managing more than one million patient visits annually at three hospitals (Arthur M. Blank Hospital, Hughes Spalding Hospital and Scottish Rite Hospital), Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center, urgent care centers and neighborhood locations. Consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has impacted the lives of kids in Georgia, across the United States and around the world for more than 100 years thanks to generous support from the community.
About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 88,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. "FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.