Winthrop Ranks Among the Top 5 Percent of Acute-Care Hospitals in the Country Thomas James of Healthgrades presents the award to Winthrop's Daniel P. Walsh

HealthGrades' 2004 Distinguished Hospital Award and annual Hospital Quality in America study are based on data collected from 2000 through 2002 by the federal government's Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Only full service hospitals that score among the top 20 percent nationwide are eligible for the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence.

"We are very pleased to receive this distinction from HealthGrades," said Daniel P. Walsh, Winthrop's President and CEO. "The entire Winthrop team works hard to provide the highest level of care to our patients, and this helps validate the outstanding efforts of our physicians, nurses and staff in our welcoming and world-class hospital."

HealthGrades analyzes the quality of care at hospitals across the country each year and publishes ratings based on the performance of that hospital. Hospitals are awarded a 5 star (best), 3 star (average), or 1 star (poor) rating.

Each year, HealthGrades offers the Distinguished Hospital recognition to an elite group of hospitals that achieve notably high levels of performance across service lines that include overall cardiac services, coronary bypass surgery, treatment of stroke and obstetric services.

HealthGrades is a healthcare-quality ratings, information and advisory services company whose clients include healthcare providers, employers, health plans, insurance companies and consumers. With its proprietary, objective provider ratings and expert advisory services, HealthGrades is creating the standard for healthcare quality. HealthGrades provides its clients with targeted solutions that enable them to measure, assess, enhance and market healthcare quality.

For more information about Winthrop-University Hospital call 1-866-WINTHROP or visit www.winthrop.org.