July 02, 2004

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Again Cited as “Honor Roll” Hospital
in U.S. News & World Report

(Philadelphia, PA) – For the eighth consecutive year, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has been listed in the “Honor Roll” of best hospitals in America by U.S.News & World Report, as featured in its July 12th issue.

The publication’s annual ranking of hospitals lists HUP as one of only 14 hospitals in the nation – and the only one between New York and Baltimore – to be recognized as an “Honor Roll” hospital for its exceptional performance in many specialty areas.

In total, HUP’s expertise was noted in 15 of 17 medical specialties: Cancer; Digestive Disorders; Ear, Nose & Throat; Geriatrics; Gynecology; Heart & Heart Surgery; Hormonal Disorders; Kidney Disease; Neurology/Neurosurgery; Ophthalmology; Psychiatry; Rehabilitation; Respiratory Disorders; Rheumatology; and Urology. HUP’s demonstrated excellence in these specialty areas is a result of the comprehensive care that has been provided by the hospital, over multiple generations, to the residents of Philadelphia and beyond.

"We are pleased that the clinical excellence of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized by its inclusion -- for the eighth consecutive year -- in the select 'Honor Roll' category of America's best hospitals," said Ralph W. Muller, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. "This honor reflects the extraordinary efforts of the talented doctors, nurses, and other dedicated staff who continue to provide high quality care at HUP, the nation's first teaching hospital. These same professionals also help advance patient care in America as a result of their pioneering and progressive initiatives in biomedical research."

Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report has published the annual special issue, which provides a ranking of hospital quality of care on a nationwide basis. It is meant to help consumers make informed decisions when looking for hospital care.

The survey evaluated approximately 6,012 hospitals around the country based on their reputation among a group of randomly selected, board-certified physicians. The survey also considered such factors as mortality rate and factored in measures specific to each of the 17 specialties included in the survey. To be on the “Honor Roll,” hospitals must be ranked very highly in at least six of the 17 specialties.

HUP consistently ranks in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual guide to “America’s Best Hospitals.” The complete guide appears in the July 12th edition, which will appear on newsstands on July 5th. Rankings are also available online at www.usnews.com.

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PENN Medicine is a $2.5 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and high-quality patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (created in 1993 as the nation’s first integrated academic health system).

Penn’s School of Medicine is ranked #3 in the nation for receipt of NIH research funds; and ranked #4 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent ranking of top research-oriented medical schools. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

Penn Health System consists of four hospitals (including its flagship Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, consistently rated one of the nation’s “Honor Roll” hospitals by U.S. News & World Report), a faculty practice plan, a primary-care provider network, three multispecialty satellite facilities, and home health care and hospice.

This release is available online at http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/july04/HonorRoll2004.htm