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MUSC ranks in annual edition of America’s Best Hospitals

MUSC has been named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the country’s best hospitals in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, kidney disease and rheumatology. This marks the 12th consecutive year that gastrointestinal disorders has made the list. The rankings will be published in the July 23 issue of the magazine that appeared on newsstands July 14. MUSC is the only hospital in South Carolina that is listed in this year’s rankings.
 
“We are very pleased with this independent confirmation that the Medical University of South Carolina is one of the leading hospitals in the country,” said Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., MUSC president. “As the only South Carolina hospital to achieve this national status, MUSC plays a leadership role in bringing state-of-the-art health care to the citizens of our state. We look forward to the opportunity to build further upon the existing strengths of this institution.”
 
Since 1990, the magazine has identified medical centers with unique capabilities in one or more areas. This year, the exclusive magazine reviewed data from 5,453 hospitals and selected 170 of the most stellar medical centers in 16 specialty areas. Rankings and eligibility may be viewed at http://www.usnews.com or by clicking on the 2008 America's Best Hospitals button on the university homepage, http://www.musc.edu.

Gastrointestinal Disorders
Ranked 19th in the nation, Gastrointestinal Disorders includes the MUSC Digestive Disease Center (DDC), the Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Surgery.
 
“The gastrointestinal physicians and health care staff of MUSC are very gratified to be recognized for our expertise and experience in the treatment of digestive disorders by the prestigious US News rankings,” said Mark Payne, M.D., Gastroenterology and Hepatology director.

Dr. Mario Gomez, right, discusses DDICU patient care with residents in the DDICU while registered nurse Michael Grigsby (background) updates a patient's chart.

DDC medical director, Mark DeLegge, M.D., added: “The Digestive Disease Center is committed to excellence through innovation and a patient focused approach to clinical care. As a team approach to digestive disease, it doesn’t get any better than MUSC.”
 
“The US News and World Report ranking of the our gastrointestinal disorders related programs as No. 19 in the nation is a result of having an outstanding team of patient focused caregivers dedicated to providing the best care possible to our GI patients,” said David Cole, M.D., McKoy Rose Professor and Chairman MUSC Department of Surgery. This reflects the type of excellent care being offered across the board to our patients at MUSC.”

Kidney kudos
Meanwhile, MUSC’s performance in treating kidney disease earned it a ranking for the first time in this category.
 
“All of the division faculty deserve congratulations. ...Our basic science faculty contribute as well by enhancing our national academic image. It is outstanding that we finally achieved being included on the list,” said David Ploth, M.D., Nephrology director. “The competition is very strong, and is among the same group of excellent institutions that we compete with for fellow trainees and grant funding.”
Rheumatology’s reputation
 
In a special category based solely on national reputation, MUSC’s Rheumatology division placed 19th among America’s hospitals.
 
“Our physicians and scientists have garnered an international reputation for their work on scleroderma, lupus and other rheumatic diseases, so to rank No. 19 on the US News & World Report’s list is a credit to them,” said Richard M. Silver, M.D., Distinguished University Professor and director of the division. “It is gratifying to be recognized by one’s peers for the expertise we provide in caring for patients with the most serious or difficult medical problems associated with rheumatology.”
 
Registered nurse Janece Moore, from left; clinical associate Ryan Grimm; and registered nurse Ben Kuchta prepare a patient's room for admissions.
 
For more information about these or other MUSC programs and accomplishments, contact Kathleen Ellis, ellisk@musc.edu; or Heather Woolwine, woolwinh@musc.edu.
   

Friday, July 18, 2008
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.