For Martin Memorial Health Systems, 2010 was a year full of honors, exciting news and steps toward enhancing the care we provide residents of the Treasure Coast. That included national recognition for quality of care and workforce satisfaction, as well as the opportunity to move forward with a new hospital in west Port St. Lucie.
Here are some of the highlights for Martin Memorial in 2010:
100 Top Hospitals Award: In March, Martin Memorial Medical Center was named one of the 2009 Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals in the United States. It was the fifth time Martin Memorial earned the distinction.
Martin Memorial was one of 20 winners in the Large Community Hospitals category and one of only five hospitals from the nearly 300 hospitals in the state of Florida to be honored among the Top 100 for 2009.
The study has been conducted annually since 1993. In that time, only 91 hospitals have won the award five times or more – about 3 percent of the total hospitals surveyed – including 14 from Florida.
50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals Award: Martin Memorial Medical Center was named one of the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in the nation in an annual study by Thomson Reuters. Selected from more than 1,000 hospitals across the country, winners of this prestigious award provide “top-notch cardiovascular care” according to results from an exhaustive analysis.
Martin Memorial was one of just six hospitals in Florida named to the list, and the only hospital on the Treasure Coast to be honored.
Hospital in west Port St. Lucie approved: A ruling by the First District Court of Appeals cleared the way for Martin Memorial to build an 80-bed hospital in the west Port St. Lucie development of Tradition.
On October 26, the appellate court ruled against an attempt by HCA, Inc. – which owns St. Lucie Medical Center and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center – to block Martin Memorial from building the hospital. Martin Memorial had received a final order from the state to move forward, but HCA appealed that order.
Martin Memorial is planning to begin construction in 2012, with doors opening in 2014.
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Joyce Gioia, chief executive officer of Employer of Choice, Inc.® (second from left) presented the award to George Lehach, chairman of the board of directors for Martin Memorial, Amy Barry, vice president and chief human resources officer, and Mark Robitaille, president and chief executive officer. |
National Employer of Choice® Award: For the second year in a row, Martin Memorial was selected as a National Employer of Choice®. That designation placed the health system in an elite group of just 17 health care organizations from across the country holding that title. ®
Because Martin Memorial has shown significant and continued improvement in the measurements used to determine Employer of Choice® status, the health system was awarded recognition for a two-year period rather than just one year.
Sophisticated new IT system implementation begins: In September, Martin Memorial announced it would utilize implement a new system-wide IT project utilizing Epic, replacing the current system. The project, which is expected to launch in early 2012, is an organization-wide endeavor that will make clinical processes more efficient and effective for patient care.
New programs and services begin: Martin Memorial continued to provide sophisticated technology and enhanced medical care programs to Treasure Coast residents. That included:
• The opening of the Back and Spine Center at Martin Memorial, which offers one-stop, comprehensive back and spine care for patients. The team features three neurosurgeons, three physician assistants, physical therapy, a rapid referral system and coordinated diagnostic imaging procedures.
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This year Martin Memorial began using MAKOplasty®, sophisticated robotic technology that helps orthopedic surgeons perform partial knee resurfacing with incredible precision. |
• In early 2010, Martin Memorial began using MAKOplasty®, new robotic technology that allows orthopedic surgeons to perform a minimally invasive partial knee resurfacing procedure for early to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. Martin Memorial is the first hospital on the Treasure Coast to have the technology.
• Martin Memorial continued to expand its clinical research, featuring two studies with VGTI Florida, a life sciences organization based in west Port St. Lucie.
• Martin Memorial redesigned its website, mmhs.com, making it easier to read and more consumer friendly.
• The pediatric therapy department renovated its facility thanks to donations through the Martin Memorial Foundation. That includes new technology and equipment to benefit pediatric patients with specific care needs.
