The 2016 Women’s Choice Award has chosen Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, in Florida, as one of “America’s Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery” procedures.
The award is the only of its kind recognizing excellence in a healthcare institution based on criteria taking into account both clinical performance and female patient satisfaction.
The award’s more than 300 winners are hospital facilities that have met the high standards of The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
Women polled in a recent survey by the Women’s Choice Award indicated that a doctor’s certification and the hospital’s ranking for patient safety were their most important factors when considering a bariatric surgery center.
“The recognition of our bariatric program highlights the commitment and dedication of our surgeons, nurses, support staff and the patients who choose us for their care,” said Michael Mayo, hospital president of Baptist Jacksonville, in a recent news release. “We are honored to be cited as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery and honor the trust that this recognition places on our commitment to quality and providing the highest level of patient care.”
The Baptist Center for Bariatric Surgery was awarded the recognition for reasons that include:
- MBSAQIP Accreditation by the American College of Surgeons and The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
- Blue Center of Distinction in Bariatric Surgery by Florida Blue (part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association)
- Two bariatric surgeons, Steven E. Hodgett, MD, and Craig B. Morgenthal, MD, with over 20 years of experience
- A multidisciplinary team offering complete patient care
- A dedicated bariatric surgery floor
- No program fee
“There is a lot of hard work that goes into the success of this program. I’m thrilled that the people behind the scenes are getting the recognition they deserve,” said Dr. Hodgett, chair of the Department of Surgery at Baptist Jacksonville. “Our success and the success of our patients continue to demonstrate the importance of these procedures in changing women’s lives.”
Dr. Morgenthal, chief of general surgery for Baptist Jacksonville, added, “Metabolic and bariatric surgery is the only intervention that has consistently been shown to have successful long-term weight loss, as well as associated improvement in medical co-morbidities, in patients with morbid obesity. We are helping patients achieve their goal of a healthier life with a multi-disciplinary, supportive program and our outcomes meet or exceed national standards.”
Hospitals receiving this award also ranked above the national average in patient recommendations collected through Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys, as shown in data reported by Medicaid Services and the Center for Medicare.
According to a University of San Diego Health study, 80 percent of patients undergoing bariatric surgery are female, despite identical rates of obesity among women and men.
“Women tend to be risk averse, so we’re simplifying her choices by verifying those hospitals providing outstanding patient care and performance, allowing her to choose with confidence,” said Delia Passi, CEO and founder of the Women’s Choice Award.