January 9, 2009

Children’s Hospital ranked among nation’s best

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Children’s Hospital ranked among nation’s best

The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt has been ranked No. 15 on a listing of best children's hospitals in the country by Parents magazine, the third national accolade earned in the past year.

“This recognition is testament to the hard work and devotion of the staff and faculty at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt,” said Kevin Churchwell, M.D., chief executive officer. “When you walk the halls here, you can see that our employees and caregivers are proud to be here and are true professionals who stand ready to help. Every day you can see and meet people who are being helped by what we do here, and our staff — everyone from environmental services to nursing, from doctors to patient affairs — all feel the mission and recognize it is an honor to do what we do.”

“We are delighted to be among the top 15 children's hospitals selected for recognition in excellence by Parents magazine,” said Jonathan Gitlin, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics. “Our reputation for compassionate care and extraordinary discovery continues to grow, and I have no doubt that such recognition foretells a great future for our patients and families.”

“This is another testament to the outstanding men and women who have dedicated their lives to create an environment of care for children that is truly among the best in the world,” said John Brock III, M.D., surgeon-in-chief of Children's Hospital.

The rankings are based on a 250-question survey of the hospital's performance, including patient outcomes, staff qualifications, patient safety efforts, research and the number of complex procedures performed.

The listings will be published in the February issue of Parents.

“I am so pleased that the work of our nurses, staff and doctors at Children's Hospital has received this kind of recognition,” said Harry Jacobson, M.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs. “And I hope all of our friends and supporters in the community who have given to our success — those who have shared their wealth, as well as their time — are gratified with what they have helped us accomplish. I am sorry Monroe Carell is not here to share the excitement he was so instrumental in helping create, but I know Ann and her family feel this recognition as deeply as he would.”

Earlier this year, Children's Hospital was named one of the nation's best hospital's by U.S. News and World Report magazine. It also was named one of seven pediatric “Top Hospitals” for providing excellent patient safety in an annual survey by The Leapfrog Group.

“Entering our fifth year as a freestanding hospital, our continued presence in the top rankings is a tribute to our faculty and staff, in both the clinical and research areas,” said Barbara Joers, chief operating officer. “The community can take pride in how we have created a place that strives to bring the best pediatric health care to Nashville.”