UNION HOSPITAL NEWS

Terre Haute, IN- Union Hospital has been recognized by National Research Corporation (NRC) as the 2009/2010 Consumer Choice Award winner for the Terre Haute area. The award identifies hospitals that healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in over 300 markets throughout the United States.

Ginny Martin, President of NRC's Ticker Division, said winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company's Healthcare Market Guide TickerSMstudy. Of the 3,200 hospitals named by consumers in the study, the winning facilities rank highest in their Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), as defined by the US Census Bureau.

"Our doctors and staff are dedicated to providing a culture of high quality of care and a positive patient experience.  It's gratifying to see their efforts recognized by the community we serve," said David R. Doerr, president and Chief Executive Officer of Union Hospital. "Our mission is to provide compassionate healthcare of the highest quality. Studies like this help us to know whether we're delivering on that promise."

"Healthcare has become an increasingly important issue across the country and empowered consumers are making decisions for themselves and their families when selecting their healthcare facilities and services," Martin said. "As care options multiply and financial challenges remain strong, consumer perception of quality continues to grow in importance. Dedication to providing high quality healthcare has become essential for all hospitals. In the face of adversity, these Consumer Choice award winners exemplify the dedication it takes to provide quality healthcare to their communities, and we are pleased to honor them through the eyes of their patients."

NRC's Healthcare Market Guide Ticker is the nation's largest and most comprehensive study of its kind. No other study used to measure hospital performance and preferences contains more consumer responses than NRC's study. The Ticker study surveyed over 250,000 households representing over 450,000 consumers in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. The study has a margin of error of + or  0.2 percent at a national level. Co-winners are named when scores fall within the statistical margin of error for a given market.