You’ve probably seen the signs while driving through Roslyn or heard someone at a dinner party mention "The Heart Center." It has this sort of mythical status on Long Island. But when you’re actually facing a medical crisis—or even just a routine screening—the marketing gloss doesn't matter. You want to know if St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center is actually better than the place down the street, or if it’s just really good at branding.
Honestly, the "Heart Center" moniker isn't just a vanity project. It’s a literal description of their DNA. For nearly 100 years, this place has pivoted from a sanitarium for children with rheumatic fever to a global powerhouse in cardiovascular care. It's weird to think about a hospital having a "vibe," but St. Francis feels different because it’s a specialty-first institution that grew into a full-service hospital, rather than a general hospital trying to tack on a heart wing.
The Roslyn Factor: What St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center Does Differently
Most people don't realize that St. Francis is part of Catholic Health, but it operates with a level of autonomy that has allowed it to chase some pretty aggressive clinical goals. They aren't just doing standard bypasses. We’re talking about a volume of cases that would make most university hospitals blink.
Why does volume matter? It’s basically muscle memory.
When a surgical team performs thousands of valves or catheterizations a year, the "rare" complications become routine for them. They've seen it all before. That’s probably why U.S. News & World Report keeps ranking them among the top hospitals in the country for Cardiology & Heart Surgery. It’s not just a trophy; it’s a reflection of the fact that their "standard" is most people's "extraordinary."
Beyond the Heart: The "Everything Else" Problem
People often ask, "If I have a broken leg or a gallbladder issue, should I go to St. Francis?"
That’s a fair question. For a long time, the perception was that if you weren't having a heart attack, you were in the wrong place. But they've spent the last decade or so trying to kill that myth. They’ve expanded heavily into orthopedics, oncology, and neurology.
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The oncology program, in particular, has seen a massive upgrade. They partnered with the Cancer Institute to bring in more clinical trials and infusion services. So, while the heart is the flagship, the rest of the ship is finally catching up. It’s become a legitimate "all-rounder" while maintaining that elite status in cardiac care.
The Tech and the Teams
Walking through the labs at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center feels a bit like stepping onto a movie set sometimes. They were early adopters of the Da Vinci robotic system for minimally invasive surgery. This isn't just about having cool gadgets.
It’s about recovery.
If a surgeon can fix your mitral valve through a tiny incision using a robot, you’re back at work in weeks instead of months. You aren't getting your chest cracked open like a lobster. That’s the real-world impact of the technology they invest in.
And then there's the nursing.
Ask anyone who has stayed overnight. The hospital has Magnet designation for nursing excellence. In the healthcare world, that’s the "gold standard." It basically means the nurses have more say in patient care and there's a better nurse-to-patient ratio than your average municipal hospital. It makes the difference between a nurse who is drowning in charts and one who actually notices your vitals are slightly off before the alarm even sounds.
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What about the Emergency Room?
Let’s be real: no one wants to go to an ER on Long Island. You expect to wait twelve hours in a plastic chair.
St. Francis has worked hard on their "door-to-balloon" time—that’s the interval from when a heart attack patient hits the door to when the blocked artery is opened. They are consistently faster than the national average. If you’re having a cardiac event, every minute is literally heart muscle dying. In that specific scenario, the location in Roslyn is basically the safest place you could possibly be.
Is It All Perfect?
No hospital is.
St. Francis is busy. Really busy. Because they have such a high reputation, the wait times for elective procedures can sometimes be a headache. Parking used to be a nightmare, though the newer garage structures have helped a bit.
Also, it's a Catholic institution. For the vast majority of patients, this just means there’s a crucifix on the wall and a chaplain available. However, it does mean that certain reproductive health services aren't the focus here, which is something some patients might want to keep in mind depending on their specific needs.
The Research and the "Why"
St. Francis isn't just a place where they "do" medicine; it's where they invent it. They are heavily involved in clinical trials for new stents and heart valves that haven't even hit the general market yet.
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Dr. Richard Shlofmitz and the team there have been pioneers in intravascular imaging. This is basically using tiny cameras inside the arteries to see exactly where the blockage is, rather than just guessing from an X-ray. It’s this kind of "nerding out" on the details that keeps them at the top of the food chain.
How to Navigate Your Visit
If you’re heading there, here’s the reality: it’s a maze. The hospital has grown in segments over the years.
- The Main Lobby is where you’ll usually check in for most things.
- The DeMatteis Center is actually off-site in Greenvale. Don't make the mistake of driving to the main hospital for a cardiac rehab appointment or certain screenings that are held there.
- Valet is usually worth the few extra bucks. Seriously.
The Verdict on St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center
If you need a routine physical, you can go anywhere. If you’re looking for a world-class orthopedic surgeon for a hip replacement or a team that handles the most complex heart failures in the Northeast, you go to Roslyn.
It’s about the peace of mind.
You’re paying for—and seeking out—the fact that the person operating on you has done that exact procedure five times already that day. There’s no substitute for that kind of repetition.
Practical Next Steps for Your Care
If you're considering St. Francis for an upcoming procedure or need to establish care, don't just wing it.
- Verify your insurance first. While they take most major plans, the specialized nature of some departments means you should double-check your specific coverage for "specialty centers."
- Use the Physician Match tool. Their website has a surprisingly decent tool to find doctors by specialty. Look for those who are board-certified in their specific sub-niche (like "Interventional Cardiology" rather than just "Cardiology").
- Check the DeMatteis Center schedule. If you’re looking for preventative care, like calcium scoring or stress tests, these are often handled at their Greenvale satellite location, which is much easier to navigate than the main hospital campus.
- Prepare your records. If you are transferring care from another hospital system (like Northwell or NYU Langone), get your imaging on a disc or ensure the digital transfer is confirmed 48 hours before your appointment. It saves a lot of stress in the waiting room.
The hospital is located at 100 Port Washington Blvd, Roslyn, NY 11576. For general inquiries or to find a specific department, the main line is (516) 562-6000.