Spectrum Health Named Consumer Choice Winner

National Research Corporation (NRC) has again recognized Spectrum Health for its overall quality and image. Spectrum Health won the 2007/08 Consumer Choice Award along with 225 organizations nationwide, all recognized as the most preferred hospitals for overall quality and image.

This is the eleventh consecutive year that Spectrum Health has won this award. However, it is the first time that Spectrum Health was selected in both the Grand Rapids and Holland/Grand Haven markets.

“Spectrum Health is the acknowledged leader in quality health care in our community,” said Matt Van Vranken, executive vice president, Spectrum Health System and president, Spectrum Health Grand Rapids. “The fact that this award is driven by consumers – our patients and their families – makes it all the more meaningful to our organization. This award reassures us that we are doing the right things for the right reasons.”

Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in NRC’s annual Healthcare Market Guide, which surveyed more than 200,000 households representing about 400,000 consumers in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

NRC specializes in health care specific performance measurement and improvement. A list of the award winners appears in the September 2007 edition of Modern Healthcare magazine.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through its seven hospitals, more than 140 service sites and 565,000-member health plan, Priority Health. Spectrum Health’s 13,000 employees, 1,400 medical staff members and 2,000 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care to those in medical need. The organization provided more than $100 million in community benefit during its 2006 fiscal year. Spectrum Health has earned more than 50 national awards during the past 10 years.