Flagler, Wolfson earn Top Hospital Awards

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Two area hospitals have received national Leapfrog Top Hospital awards, widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The announcements were made Tuesday, Dec. 7.

Flagler Hospital was named a Top General Hospital and Wolfson Children’s Hospital was named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers recognized as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.

“Our team members have been working tirelessly on the front lines and behind the scenes throughout the pandemic to make this top-tier care possible, while overcoming the unique challenges of COVID-19,” said Jason Barrett, president and CEO of Flagler Health+. “This level of dedication to quality and safety distinguishes the kind of care that patients can and should expect from Flagler Health+. Our standards are high because that is what our patients deserve, and that’s what we would expect for our own loved ones.”

Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive David Rice added that being named one of the top general hospitals in the country was a significant honor.

More than 2,200 hospitals were considered for the Leapfrog awards and 149 were selected. Among those, Flagler Hospital received a Top General Hospital distinction; one of only 46 in the nation. Wolfson Children’s Hospital received a Top Children’s Hospital distinction, one of only eight in the nation.

National Top Hospital recognitions also included 23 Top Rural and 72 Top Teaching hospitals.

The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, surgery, maternity care and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication and other errors.

“We are honored to once again receive this prestigious distinction and be named one of Leapfrog’s Top Children’s Hospitals,” said Michael D. Aubin, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “Our physicians, nurses and employees continuously strive to provide the best experience and outcomes for every patient and family who walks through our doors. We hold our safety and care standards high because that is what our patients deserve and what we would expect for our own families.”

He added, “Thanks to our partnerships with Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, and the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine – Jacksonville, patients and families can have confidence in the care they receive at Wolfson Children’s.”

Mark Hudak, MD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics for the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville, called the award an “incredible achievement” and “a reflection of our dedicated team of doctors, advanced providers, nurses and support staff and the amazing work they do every day to provide safe and compassionate care.”

Gary Josephson, MD, chief medical officer of Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, called the recognition “an extraordinary feat” and said the award “honors our team’s commitment and hard work done every day to provide the highest quality of care and safety to the children we serve.”

To see the full list of institutions honored as 2021 Top Hospitals, go to leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.