Emory Hospital top ranked in three specialties
U.S. News & World Report has named Emory Hospital one of America's best hospitals in three medical specialties: cardiology, ophthalmology and urology. The rankings were published in the magazine's Aug. 12 issue.
Emory Hospital's cardiology program has been recognized as a top program each year since the magazine began ranking hospitals in 1990. The program has moved up two positions since last year, from eighth to sixth. Emory was the only Georgia hospital ranked in the top 10 in cardiology, and one of just two in the Southeast, Duke being the other.
Emory's urology program, ranked at number 22, made the list for the fourth year in a row, and the ophthalmology program moved up two notches, from 16 to 14. This is the third year in a row that ophthalmology was included in the rankings. Emory is the only hospital in Georgia ranked in either category.
"It's gratifying to see Emory's accomplishments recognized yet again. But we won't be satisfied until we are in the top 10 in the majority of our programs," said Michael M. E. Johns, Emory's new executive vice president for health affairs and chief executive officer of the Emory University System of Health Care. "Atlantans can expect to see the highest level of excellence as we redouble our efforts to move into a new era of clinical care enhanced by research and a culture of service."
The "America's Best Hospitals" rankings assess care for 16 specialties at 126 hospitals nationwide. A total of 1,961 hospitals were evaluated. Reputation counts for one-third of a hospital's score in 12 of the specialties; the other two-thirds is based on death-rate statistics and a collection of measures that physicians and social-science researchers believe reflects quality of care, according to U.S. News. Ophthalmology is among the specialties ranked on reputation alone.
--Susan Stewart
Shuttle route changed, stops posted for
accessibility
Beginning this semester, the Parking Office has altered the route for the A
shuttle, which runs from Wesley Woods down Clifton Road through the central
campus.
Cheryle Crumley, manager of Alternative Transportation Services, said the shuttle no longer will turn right from Clifton Road onto North Decatur Road. Instead the shuttle will turn right off Clifton Road onto Fishburne Drive at the Goizueta Business School construction site, thereby allowing the shuttle to serve Fishburne parking deck. The shuttle then will continue down Fishburne Drive past Glenn Memorial Church and turn right onto Dowman Drive, picking up its original route.
The change, Crumley said, will shorten the route by five minutes.
Crumley also said that a number of wheelchair icons have been placed on the poles at various stops to designate those stops as accessible for those with mobility impairments. "I am very pleased that 68 percent of our shuttle stops now meet the accessibility criteria," Crumley said. "As more of the Emory community chooses to pursue alternative forms of transportation to driving alone, we want to be ready to address all needs as demand increases for shuttle service."
A list of accessible shuttle stops is available from the Office of Disability Services and Compliance in 110 Administration Building or by calling 727-6016 (TDD, 727-1065). RoseMary Watkins, director of Disability Services and Compliance, reminds all drivers using accessible parking spaces to make sure their state-authorized permit is clearly visible with the valid date showing in order to avoid being ticketed. Watkins said that drivers who display permits that have been altered will be ticketed. She also said her office is currently reviewing the status of all temporary permits for accessible spaces to ensure their current validity.
--Dan Treadaway