Press Ganey Names Chris Van Gorder, President and CEO of Scripps Health, Recipient of 2013 Innovation Award

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Press Ganey, the leading patient experience improvement firm, today announced that Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of Scripps Health, is the winner of its Innovation Award during its annual National Client & Executive Leadership Conferences in Orlando. The Innovation Award is given to individuals or organizations that have transformed the patient experience, repeatedly pushing boundaries and acting on possibilities to improve the care experience. As a passionate and influential health care leader who engages employees and fosters a patient-focused culture, Van Gorder has led Scripps through the most significant change and transformation in health care delivery in 100 years.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131119/NE20218)

"I am honored and humbled to receive this distinguished recognition by Press Ganey," said Van Gorder. "At Scripps, we are focused on improving the quality of patient care and outcomes, and transforming the entire patient experience. I wanted to build a culture of accountability in our organization, and I'm proud that our efforts are being acknowledged."

Van Gorder had an unconventional start in health care. As a police officer injured in the line of duty, he spent a year in and out of hospitals before being retired. Van Gorder then decided to apply for a position in hospital security, and after years of hard work, integrity and a deep appreciation of the patient's needs, Van Gorder eventually became one of the nation's leading CEOs.

A pioneer in implementing best practices, Van Gorder has fostered a culture of excellence throughout the entire Scripps system, and has focused on building a health care delivery system designed around the needs of the patient. The effort has created care teams composed of case managers, "navigators" and medication therapy pharmacists to improve the patient experience and ensure post-discharge understanding. In the 14 years since Van Gorder joined Scripps, the organization has grown immensely, won numerous awards for outstanding patient care, and has continually performed well in Press Ganey's hospital, medical practice and ambulatory surgery measure rankings.

"Chris Van Gorder's innovative work at Scripps exemplifies our vision of elevating the patient experience and we could not be more pleased to award such a well-respected and accomplished leader," said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey. "This award is presented annually to recognize the lifetime contributions of an individual who has transformed the industry and whose leadership continues to set the standard, and Chris is no exception, making incredible strides to improve health care delivery."

This year's Press Ganey National Client Conference has drawn more than 2,100 providers from across the country, including 500 CEOs, to participate in more than 80 educational sessions discussing the improvement of quality, safety and efficiency of care. This year's theme, "A Voice for Every Patient," recognizes the importance of giving every patient, physician and employee the opportunity to be heard in order to achieve sustainable change.

About Press Ganey Associates, Inc.

Recognized as a leader in performance improvement for nearly 30 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care organizations worldwide to create and sustain high-performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall health care experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to help clients operate efficiently, improve quality, increase market share and optimize reimbursement. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care – hospitals, medical practices, home care agencies and other providers – including 50 percent of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit www.pressganey.com.

About Scripps Health

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 13,500 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, hospice and home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of physician offices and 26 outpatient centers and clinics.

Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research, genomic medicine, wireless health care and graduate medical education. With three highly respected graduate medical education programs, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Truven Health Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters) has named Scripps one of the top five large health systems in the nation. Scripps is nationally recognized in six specialties by U.S. News & World Report, which places Scripps cardiovascular program among the top 20 in the country. Scripps has been consistently recognized by Fortune, Working Mother magazine and AARP as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.

Press Ganey Media Contact:
Kristen Berry
Aria Marketing for Press Ganey 
617-332-9999 x238
[email protected]

Scripps Health Media Contact:
Keith Darce
858-678-7121
[email protected]

SOURCE Press Ganey Associates, Inc.