July 8, 2005 — It’s an even dozen for University Health Care* named again this year as one of America’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

The magazine’s 2005 survey of leading U.S. hospitals, due on newsstands July 11, lists University Health Care among the top providers in cancer care and orthopedics, ranking those programs 30th and 45th, respectively

Just 176 of the country’s 6007 civilian medical centers offered the range and quality of services to be considered for selection in the magazine’s 16th annual survey, according to U.S.News.

This was the 12th year University Health Care made the list and U hospital Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Fullmer attributes that record of consistency to employees who make patient care their top priority.

“This reflects years of dedication and commitment to excellence by our faculty and staff,” Fullmer said, “and we’re going to have more opportunities to develop centers of excellence and continue to provide the kind of care our patients deserve and expect. We’re very proud of everyone who works here.”

In cancer care, the magazine cited research into the genetic causes of various cancers. University Health Care physicians at the U’s University Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Hospital devote much research to investigating the genetic links to cancer.

In orthopedics, the magazine noted that surgery patients expect less cutting and a faster recovery. The Orthopaedic Center at the University of Utah, which opened last fall in the U’s Research Park, offers the latest surgical procedures, pain management techniques, and technology in a facility that is among the best in the country.

To make the Best Hospitals list, a facility must meet one of three requirements: membership in the Council of Teaching Hospitals; affiliation with a medical school; or offer at least nine of 18 service-related technologies deemed worthwhile, such as positron emission tomography (PET). Less than one-third of hospitals met this criterion. Hospitals also must have performed a minimum number of procedures in specialty areas, or be cited by at least one physician in the 2003, 2004 or 2005 surveys.

The magazine then gave numerical assessments to the eligible hospitals based on reputation, death rate, and care-related factors such as nursing and patient services. The top 50 hospitals in each specialty were then ranked according to their numerical scores.