Virtua may continue advertising that it has the most Top Docs as a result of a Consent Order agreed to by the parties in the suit brought by Cooper against Virtua in February 2009.
In an agreement reached in the United States District Court in Camden, New Jersey, both parties will provide clear explanations of their methodologies when making claims about top docs. In addition, they agree to remove doctors from their respective lists who are employed by the other organization or who sit on the Board of Trustees of the other's organization if those doctors request that their names be removed.
"We are pleased that this has been resolved," said Richard P. Miller, President and CEO of Virtua. "It is in no one's best interest to use healthcare dollars for suits in lieu of market competition. We are more than willing to compete in the free market for market share. It is foolhardy and a waste of taxpayer dollars to take these matters to the courts and argue about how we count Top Docs. It is vitally important that we spend these hard earned dollars on patient care services."
"I am confident," said Miller, "that the public recognizes that Virtua has some of the finest physicians in the region. This is born out by the fact that more people choose Virtua for care than any other healthcare provider in southern New Jersey. Our mission is to focus on providing a consistently outstanding patient experience."