Athens Regional Medical Center earns the 2015 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care.  The hospital is one of only 353 hospitals in the United States to qualify for this evidence-based designation, signifying this hospital’s commitment to meeting the highest standards in heart care.

“To be recognized as one of the best hospitals in the nation for heart care is certainly an honor. The award is a tribute to the daily commitment and true passion our physicians, surgeons, nurses and staff have for their craft,” says Dr. Chuck Peck, CEO and President of Athens Regional Health System. 

The Women’s Choice Award is based on robust criteria that considers patient satisfaction, clinical excellence, and what women really want when it comes to treatment and a quality hospital experience. “Our mission is to reduce the risk for women and their families so they can make smart healthcare choices,” says Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award, and former publisher of Working Woman and Working Mother magazines.

The America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care list is determined by first identifying the top 25% of hospitals across the nation that offer a minimum number of cardiac and/or vascular services. Only hospitals that perform well clinically with regard to heart care measures reported to Medicare, and also have a high Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) recommendation score, a measure that is very important to women in choosing a hospital, are selected. Data provided is totally objective and uniform. No subjective considerations are used to determine the award winners.

“Athens Regional Medical Center not only performed well clinically with regard to heart care measures, but it also had a high recommendation rate, a measure that is very important to women in choosing a hospital,” adds Passi. “As the primary healthcare decision makers, women account for about 90 percent of all family choices when it comes to matters of health. Making quick decisions goes against her grain and women are seeking more information than ever before when making healthcare or hospital selections.”