Loma Linda University Surgical Hospital Earns Top Award

LOMA LINDA>> Of the approximately 400 academic hospitals in the nation, Loma Linda University Surgical Hospital is one of 29 named a Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group. On Dec. 5, Leapfrog revealed its 2016 Top Hospitals lists, recognizing facilities that meet the group’s patient safety, care quality and efficiency standards. This year 115 hospitals were named Top Hospitals. “This is a recognition of the world-class patient care Surgical Hospital provides, and we are grateful for the recognition,” says Kerry Heinrich, CEO, Loma Linda University Medical Center. Lyndon Edwards, MBA, MHS, senior vice president of adult hospital services, and Marie Hodgkins, MBA, executive director, supplemental staffing network, accepted the award from Leapfrog executives Dec. 6 in Washington, DC. “I think it is a testament to the teamwork that has always existed at the Surgical Hospital between our physicians, nurses and all of our clinicians,” Edwards said. “They are so focused on doing the best job for every patient who comes through the door. This is a symbol of that great work.” Hodgkins stated, “This award is a validation of the hard work that the patient care team has done at Surgical Hospital. When Loma Linda purchased it in 2008, one of the goals was to set the bar for excellence in patient care, and this is a validation that our health care team has done that.” The designation of Top Hospital is based on the results of the 2016 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates and a hospital’s ability to prevent medication errors. LLU Surgical Hospital provides more than 20,000 outpatient visits each year. This recognition showcases LLU Surgical Hospital’s commitment to patient safety and quality, as Leapfrog Top Hospital Awards are widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious distinctions a hospital can receive. “Being acknowledged as a Top Hospital is an incredible feat achieved by less than 3 percent of hospitals nationwide,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “With this honor, Loma Linda University Surgical Hospital has established its commitment to safer and higher quality care. Providing this level of care to patients in Loma Linda requires motivation and drive from every team member. I congratulate the board, staff and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible.” Widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious distinctions a hospital can receive in the U.S., the recognition showcases LLU Surgical Hospital’s commitment to patient safety and quality. “This recognition from Leapfrog is a true testament to our everyday efforts to provide the best care to the patients we serve,” said Jonathan Jean-Marie, vice president/administrator, LLU Surgical Hospital. “This would not be attainable without the men and women dedicated to serving our mission ‘to continue the teaching healing ministry of Jesus Christ’ every day at Surgical Hospital including clinical and administrative staff and volunteers. Thank you for making this the very place it is today.”