New York City—July 16, 2009
“This continuing recognition says a great deal about the talented team of people who have committed their professional lives here,” said Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO of Hospital for Special Surgery. “We are passionate about excellence in the delivery of care to our patients. We are constantly celebrating our successes but recognize that there are always opportunities to do even better. By raising the bar and setting higher goals, we work to exceed the expectations of our patients who come to Special Surgery to receive the best musculoskeletal care in the world.”
Thomas P. Sculco, M.D., surgeon-in-chief of Hospital for Special Surgery, added, “An achievement of this nature recognizes the unique place that our staff has helped to create. Our extraordinary orthopedic surgery outcomes reflect a vital collaboration that is ongoing among our orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, physiatrists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses and other medical professionals. We are committed to advancing the research and education needed to continually improve patient care.”
In addition to the recognition by U.S.News & World Report, Hospital for Special Surgery’s commitment to quality was also recognized in a report released June 30 by the New York State Department of Health. Studying the 171 hospitals in New York that performed hip replacement/revision surgery in 2008, the report singled out Special Surgery as the only hospital in New York State with a statistically lower rate of surgical site infection compared to the state average for the procedure.
Last year, nearly 23,000 surgeries were performed at HSS. Areas of expertise include joint replacement, spine surgery, sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, pediatric orthopedics, limb lengthening and osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. Additionally, the hospital has established a number of specialty centers including innovative centers for Women’s Sports Medicine, Hip Pain and Preservation, Osteoporosis Prevention and Computer Assisted Surgery. Other special services include the Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research, the Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Disease, the Gosden-Robinson Inflammatory Arthritis Center, and the Center for Skeletal Dysplasias.
Currently, physicians from HSS Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service perform in official capacities for major professional sports teams including the New York Football Giants, New York Mets, New York Knicks, Nets Basketball, New York Liberty Basketball, and New York Red Bulls Soccer. In addition, HSS sports medicine specialists serve on the U.S. Olympic Committee medical staff team that covered the 2008 Games in Beijing.
Another testament to Hospital for Special Surgery’s excellence and consistency is its high ranking in rheumatology. Stephen A. Paget, M.D., physician-in-chief and chairman of the Division of Rheumatology explained that “given the expanded life span and enlarging elderly population who want to continue to be productive and mobile, our rheumatology staff works hard to support their patients with the most advanced treatment options available. In addition, this exceptional care is complemented by innovative research into the causes of and cures for arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.”
U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” is a resource for consumers seeking the highest quality care in 16 medical specialties. With more than 5,000 hospitals evaluated nationwide, rankings are based on reputation and such measures of quality as patient volumes and mortality rates as well as nursing care and technology services.
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