Saint Mary’s Receives the Governor’s Award of Excellence for Improving Patient Care

Grand Rapids, MI, June 1, 2004 — Saint Mary’s has received MPRO’s, Michigan’s Quality Improvement Organization, most prestigious award: the 2003 Governor’s Award of Excellence for Improving Care in the Hospital Setting for Acute Myocardial Infarction, Pneumonia and Heart Failure. In addition, Saint Mary’s was also awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Improving Care in the Emergency Department Setting for Acute Myocardial Infarction and Pneumonia.

In concert with Governor Jennifer Granholm, the Governor’s Award of Excellence honors Michigan hospitals that are performing quality initiatives aimed at improving patient care. The awards acknowledge hospitals that are actively engaged in advancing care in one or more of the following clinical areas:

• Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
• Heart Failure
• Pneumonia
• Surgical Infection Prevention

The clinical topics measured for the awards have been designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Saint Mary’s established a multidisciplinary team to spearhead improvement measures using proven, evidence-based practices.

“Governor Jennifer Granholm’s endorsement of this inaugural award for hospitals is a testament of her commitment to improving the quality of health care in Michigan,” said Debra L. Moss, MD, MBA, president and chief executive officer, MPRO. Dr. Moss added, “As Michigan’s Quality Improvement Organization, MPRO is honored to partner with the Governor to recognize hospitals such as Saint Mary’s, that are achieving measured improvement in patient care, and more importantly, saving lives in the process.”

“The medical staff at Saint Mary’s is dedicated to providing the very best in patient care and our efforts have been enhanced through our quality improvement collaborations with MPRO. We are extremely proud to be a recipient of these distinguished awards.” Stated Phil McCorkle, President and CEO at Saint Mary’s. “These awards recognize our commitment to provide care to patients that is based on the highest standards of clinical quality and patient safety.”