McLEOD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 23 NOVEMBER 2010

(11/23/10) – McLeod Health has been recognized by Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, R – Florence, representing District 31. He has presented a Senate Resolution from the South Carolina General Assembly to McLeod in recognition of the medical center receiving the national Quest for Quality Award.

During a special presentation held on Monday evening, November 22, the Senator met with members of the McLeod Health Board of Trustees, leadership team and department directors to personally thank them for their contributions to the people of South Carolina.

Senator Leatherman introduced the Senate Resolution to the General Assembly, which states that it is fitting and proper for the Senate to honor the outstanding achievements of McLeod Regional Medical Center with the presentation of a South Carolina State Flag flown over the State House in McLeod’s honor.

"When I first learned of McLeod being named the recipient of the 2010 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize I was proud," said Senator Leatherman. "However, it was only after I did a bit of research on the award itself did I learn how prestigious this award really is. Since 2002, only nine hospitals throughout the country have earned this honor. And when you take a look at the names of those hospitals, the one word that reflects each organization is renowned. This award could be compared to the Heisman Trophy of college football," the Senator stated.

This honor, he said, aims at raising awareness of the need for a hospital-wide commitment to highly reliable, exceptional quality, patient-centered care and "that is the exact reflection of the work being done right here at McLeod. McLeod continues to be a leader in medical excellence here in the Pee Dee and around the state. I have no doubt this award will thrust the quality of care and experience of staff through the proverbial roof," Senator Leatherman said.

"McLeod, whether here at its main campus, at the health and fitness center or any of its community locations, contributes so much to the economic climate of region. For that I say thank you. To show my appreciation for the receipt of this award, which will guide our hospital for decades, I present to President Colones, the board of directors, Dr. Boulware and each employee of this great health organization with this framed South Carolina flag and resolution honoring McLeod Regional Medical Center for their more than 100 years of service and excellence in the medical arena," Senator Leatherman added.

"I thank each of you for your hard work and dedication in creating a world-class hospital and health organization."

Dr. William Boulware, Chief of Staff for McLeod Regional Medical Center, said, "This recognition from the General Assembly is the icing on the cake. We are proud that we have been honored by our own peers for raising the bar in South Carolina and accomplishing an achievement that no other hospital in our state has earned."

Rob Colones, President of McLeod Health, described the recognition by Senator Leatherman and the South Carolina Senate as both exciting and humbling. "From the standpoint that we are recognizing a growing body of work by our physicians, nurses and staff, this is exciting. However, this is also humbling because there is still much to learn and accomplish as we seek to improve the health and well-being of the people in our region. The quest for quality in our daily work will continue to direct our improvement processes, care and efficiency for our patients, staff and guests."

The 2010 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize, awarded annually to one hospital in the country, was presented to McLeod in July. McLeod is the first hospital in South Carolina to receive this prestigious honor since the inception of the national Quest for Quality Prize in 2002.

In addition to recognition by Senator Leatherman and the South Carolina General Assembly, the Florence City Council designated August 16-20, 2010, as McLeod Health Week in honor of the hospital being recognized nationally for leadership and innovation in quality, safety and a commitment to patient care. The City Council members further resolved to encourage the citizens of Florence to recognize the physicians and staff of McLeod Health during this week as the medical center celebrates this national honor with its employees. The Florence County and Horry County Councils also passed resolutions in recognition and appreciation of McLeod for its meritorious achievement and success in earning the Quest for Quality Prize.

McLeod was selected for the 2010 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize® by a multi-disciplinary committee of health care quality and patient safety experts from across the nation for the honor, based on the McLeod culture of quality and efforts to achieve the Institute of Medicine’s six quality aims for health care — by engaging physicians, staff and leadership in efforts to improve quality through safety, patient-centered care, timeliness, efficiency, effectiveness, and equity.

Among the previous honorees are Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, VA; The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD; Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA; and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, NY.