15 Years at the Top: National Jewish Health Named #1 Respiratory Hospital in the Nation

DENVER, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Jewish Health has been named the best respiratory hospital in the nation for the 15th consecutive year, in U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings of America's Best Hospitals.

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"Fifteen years at the top is evidence of our continued commitment to the best coordinated care, and the highest level of innovation," said Michael Salem, M.D., President and CEO of National Jewish Health. "We are proud to be the only hospital west of the Mississippi with a national number one ranking among the 17 categories rated by U.S. News & World Report. That singular distinction is something that Coloradans take pride in, and is an important resource for the nation." 

National Jewish Health has been nationally ranked in respiratory care every year that the magazine has ranked this specialty, including the number one ranking for the past 15 years. U.S. News ranks hospitals nationally based on a combination of care-related factors such as the opinions of board-certified pulmonologists around the nation, who were asked to name "hospitals they consider to be the best in their specialty for complex or difficult cases." Other factors include patient outcomes, nursing, patient services and technology.

National Jewish Health was also recognized by U.S. News in the metro Denver and Colorado regional rankings as the second-ranked hospital overall, an outstanding achievement for a specialty-care hospital. In addition to respiratory medicine, National Jewish Health provides care for children and adults in cardiology, gastrointestinal medicine, cancer, allergies, rheumatology, immune and infectious diseases.

"We recognize that our patients' problems often involve more than just the lungs, and have invested significant resources to provide a truly integrated and coordinated approach to caring for the whole patient," said Rich Schierburg, Chair of the National Jewish Health Board of Directors. Due to a change last year in its ranking methodology, U.S. News now lists National Jewish Health with our academic affiliate, the University of Colorado Hospital.

National Jewish Health is an international leader in respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients come to National Jewish Health from around the world, and are provided comprehensive, coordinated care of the highest standard, from evaluation and diagnosis, to treatment and management of their issues.

"Close to a third of our patient revenues come from outside Colorado. Our Trustees hail from New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles to Florida, Dallas and Chicago," said Wendy and Stephen Siegel, Co-Chairs of the National Jewish Health National Council of Trustees. "Clearly the reputation and influence of  National Jewish Health reach a national and international audience."

In addition to offering unparalleled patient care, National Jewish Health faculty conduct groundbreaking research, and educate physicians, scientists and other healthcare professionals from around the world. As part of its benefit to the community, National Jewish Health operates a free K-8 school on the main health campus for about 90 chronically ill students who are challenged with difficult illnesses.

National Jewish Health faculty provide direct patient care at 19 locations throughout Colorado, including the University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, Rose and Swedish Medical Centers, Denver Health, Colorado Acute Long Term Hospital, Craig Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital, Lutheran Hospital and Porter and Littleton Adventist Hospitals. In addition, National Jewish Health provides specialty care in clinics in Englewood, Highlands Ranch, Aspen Valley, Basalt, New Castle and Vail Valley. Sleep services are provided at the main health campus and in collaboration with Sage Hospitality Resources at Marriott Towne Place Suites in Broomfield and Littleton.

The U.S. News ranking is just one of many honors and accomplishments for National Jewish Health, including extraordinary research funding and impact, publications in prestigious scientific journals, national recognition of its physicians and scientists, and contributions to national care guidelines. Charity Navigator, the nation's largest and most respected independent evaluator of charities, recently awarded National Jewish Health its fourth consecutive four-star rating in recognition of sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

SOURCE National Jewish Health