Emory Report

July 26, 1999

Volume 51, No. 36

Emory Hospital and Crawford Long programs named some of 'America's Best' by U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report has named Emory Hospital one of America's best hospitals in 10 of 16 medical specialties: cardiology (eighth), ophthalmology (10th), orthopaedics (22nd), neurology and neurosurgery (16th), urology (17th), geriatrics (39th), gynecology (31st), gastroenterology (28th), otolaryngology (47th) and cancer (27th). Crawford Long was named 39th in hormonal disorders. The rankings were published in the magazine's July 19 issue. John Henry Sr., chief executive officer for both hospitals, said, "These rankings, as well as recognition from other organizations, reinforce the very high caliber of our hospitals and health care teams-teams that include physicians, nursing staff, therapists, technicians, educators and dieticians. While we're continually known for cardiology services, this survey helps us publicly acknowledge our strength in a host of other areas." The Emory Hospital cardiology program has been one of the Top 10 programs for the nine years the magazine has been issuing rankings for hospitals. This year Emory was the only Georgia hospital, and one of just two in the Southeast, to be ranked that high nationally. "We are pleased with and proud of our consistently high placement in this survey," said Douglas Morris, chief of cardiology for the hospitals. "One of our biggest strengths is the availability of such a diverse team of Emory experts who represent every subspecialty in heart disease. "Our medical team also recognizes the importance of being located in a dynamic city which strives for excellence in all endeavors. Emory has long been held in high esteem in our community and throughout the country, and we're proud to bring Atlanta to the forefront of distinguished health care." The "America's Best Hospitals" list ranks the Top 50 hospitals in 16 specialties and gives data on 188 hospitals to consumers who seek exceptional care in the diagnosis, treatment and management of difficult medical problems. In 12 of the 16 specialties, hospitals were evaluated using a model that combines reputation among specialists with death rates and a collection of other measures that physicians and social science researchers believe reflects quality of care, according to U.S. News & World Report. The remaining four specialties, such as ophthalmology, are ranked by reputation alone because mortality data are unavailable or are unrelated to treatment. "Outstanding recognition for our clinical services also speaks well for our research and medical teaching missions; improving human health is, after all, at the very core of all activities at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center," said Michael Johns, executive vice president for health affairs and CEO of Emory Healthcare. "Ever mindful of improving patient care, we've set into motion strategic plans for the new millennium which we fully expect to place us higher in reputation rankings such as those published this week." In 1998, Emory and Crawford Long hospitals, as well as the Hospitals Network, earned Accreditation with Commendation from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The highest award given to hospitals, the accreditations were earned after rigorous surveys that closely examined administrative, clinical and operational aspects of each hospital. --Rashel Stephenson Return to July 26, 1999, contents page