PUBLIC HEALTH: Awards Announced in Statewide Competition
The California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH) announced today the winners of its 1999 Management Excellence Awards at the association's annual conference in Newport Beach. Seven health care organizations were honored for creating useful and effective strategies to address clinical and operational issues facing public hospitals and health systems. These facilities -- also known as open door providers -- compose the core of the state's health care safety net. CAPH president and CEO Denise Martin said, "These creative programs reflect the kind of innovative thinking and bold leadership that is shaping the future of California's open door providers. The Management Excellence Awards provide an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the inventive ways in which open door providers are inspired to carry out their missions." Top honors were awarded to the following organizations:
- Riverside County Regional Medical Center: Its nursing recruitment program addressed the local impact of the nationwide nursing shortage.
- San Mateo County Division of Hospitals & Clinics: Its implementation of a revenue collection program increased revenues at a community-based health clinic.
- UC-Davis Health System: It developed a rural telemedicine network serving 22 northern California counties.
- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center: for implementation of a proactive, employee-based customer service program known as the "Charm School";
- San Luis Obispo General Hospital: for their successful efforts to become the first public hospital in the U.S. to receive the "Baby-Friendly Hospital" designation from WHO and UNICEF;
- Santa Clara Valley Medical Center: for creating a values-based customer service system to help change the culture of the organization by redefining priorities and relationships; and
- ValleyCare Olive View-UCLA Medical Center: for developing a space-sharing arrangement with the VA that improved access to ambulatory care services for low-income and uninsured residents of San Fernando Valley.