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MUSC staff proud of recognition, efforts by Cindy Abole Public Relations Once again, the voice of Lowcountry consumers has spoken, praising MUSC as their most preferred hospital and winning the 2000 Consumer Choice Award by the National Research Corporation (NRC). This is the third consecutive year that MUSC has earned this distinguished honor. Each year, the NRC conducts a national study of 170,000 households to learn from consumers about which hospitals they prefer for services and overall quality care. MUSC was recognized above other Lowcountry hospitals in multiple categories including best doctors, best nurses, overall quality and best image and reputation. “Our staff is excellent. They’re constantly working hard to provide the best quality patient care in our operating room areas, said David Hutto, main operating room manager. “Being recognized by the public for this award impacts on how we feel about ourselves and our work. What we do every day reminds us that our work impacts the entire mission of the hospital.” Earlier this week, Hutto was one of many hospital and clinical managers who received and distributed lapel pins highlighting the award to staff and employees. The pins, table tent cards featuring the award’s highlights and banners were created through the efforts of MUSC’s Marketing Services. The gold-colored pins, outlined in the “number one” design, serve as positive reinforcement for employees based on their daily efforts, dedication and professionalism. “It’s difficult to thank people for their efforts everyday,” Hutto said. “Our people work hard. Sharing this award gives everyone, including our public, a chance to recognize our staffs and say ‘thank you’.” With this recognition, MUSC joins the ranks of other notable hospitals including the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baylor University Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital/University of Chicago. Other statewide hospitals who also received this award were Greenville Memorial Hospital and Palmetto Baptist Medical Center in Columbia. The Consumer Choice Award winners are determined by a consumer study measuring quality and image ratings and collected through the company’s annual Healthcare Market Guide Study. The NRC has conducted this study assessing the quality of healthcare at hospitals and health plans since 1995.  W. Stuart Smith, vice president for Clinical Operations and executive director of MUSC Medical Center, expressed thanks to all employees for a job well done. He noted that large academic medical centers are often characterized as being impersonal, but the survey rated MUSC Medical Center superior in providing the “most personalized care” for patients. Smith stated that this survey finding is consistent with other surveys that have rated MUSC high in patient satisfaction.