Memphis, Tenn., June 25, 2007- Eight hospitals affiliated with the Baptist Memorial Health Care system were among the 303 hospitals nationwide that received 2007 VHA Leadership Awards for Clinical Excellence in various areas.

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis earned a clinical excellence award in acute heart attack treatment and Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women received an award for surgical complication and infection prevention efforts. Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville was honored for clinical excellence in both acute heart attack treatment and surgical care improvement projects.

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton earned a clinical excellence award in surgical care improvement projects and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Lauderdale, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Huntingdon and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Booneville earned clinical excellence awards in congestive heart failure treatment. For the second year in a row, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City was honored for clinical excellence in cardiac care.

The VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence honors organizations that have scored 90 percent or above on national clinical care measures. Baptist is the only Memphis-based health care provider to be honored this year.

“Baptist is dedicated to providing high-quality care to our patients,” said Stephen C. Reynolds, president and CEO of Baptist. “We are proud of the work our staff, nurses and physicians do here every day, and this award validates their dedication and quality.”

VHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national alliance that provides industry-leading supply chain management services and supports the formation of regional and national networks to help members improve their clinical and economic performance. With 18 offices across the United States, VHA serves more than 2,400 health care organizations nationwide.

One of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in the United States, Baptist Memorial Health Care offers a full continuum of care to communities throughout the Mid-South. The Baptist system, which consistently ranks among the top integrated health care networks in the nation, comprises 14 hospitals; more than 3,100 affiliated physicians; home, hospice and psychiatric care throughout West Tennessee and North Mississippi; minor medical centers and clinics; a network of surgery, rehabilitation and other outpatient centers; and an education system highlighted by the Baptist College of Health Sciences.

For more information about Baptist, please visit www.baptistonline.org or call 800-4-BAPTIST.

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