St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital ranked among America's elite healthcare institutions

In its annual survey of "America's Best Hospitals," U.S. News & World Report has ranked St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital (SLEH) among the elite healthcare institutions in the nation in five major areas of care. This includes the Texas Heart^® Institute (THI) at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, listed in the top ten nationally in heart and heart surgery for the 20^th consecutive year.

"We are more than gratified by the ranking and the consistent excellence it represents," said James T. Willerson, MD, THI president and medical director. "It reflects two decades of dedication and hard work by our doctors, scientists, nurses and other staff. We also are grateful to the governing boards of THI and St. Luke's and our supporters. Most of all, this reflects the life-saving and life-changing advances we have been able to put forward in the battle to cure heart and vascular disease."

Moving up one spot from last year's ranking of fifth in the nation, the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital is the only heart center in Houston and the Southwest to be listed among the top ten in its category by the magazine. St. Luke's also placed among the nation's leading hospitals in Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Kidney Disorders and Urology.

"Every day, St. Luke's delivers Faithful, Loving Care^® to our patients and their families," said Margaret M. Van Bree, DrPH, senior vice president, St. Luke's Episcopal Health System, and CEO, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. "This national honor acknowledges our dedication to a culture of clinical excellence, which translates into outstanding accomplishments in patient care."

The annual rankings, determined through criteria such as surgical volume, ratio of registered nurses to beds, number of medical and surgical discharges and recognition by peers, are designed to assist people in seeking the highest level of skill in diagnosing, treating or managing difficult medical conditions. U.S.News evaluated data from 4,852 hospitals, of which only 152 met the standard of being among the best in one or more specialties. The magazine evaluated data, engaged in physician surveys and considered patient outcomes, then recognized the 50 top-scoring hospitals in each category it reviewed.

SOURCE St. Luke's Episcopal Health System