Child Magazine Names Wolfson Among Top Three Children's Hospitals in State

Jacksonville, Florida, January 15, 2007 -- Child magazine recently named Wolfson Children's Hospital among its top three children's hospitals in Florida. The list of 40 highest-ranked children's hospitals throughout the nation will appear in the February 2007 issue of the national parenting magazine.

The other Florida hospitals ranking in the survey were Miami Children's Hospital and All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Nationally known children's hospitals that also ranked high in the survey included The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Children's Hospital Boston.

Wolfson and other leading children's hospitals were selected after the completion of a 247-question survey designed by leading pediatric experts. The survey, which took place over a nine-month period, was sent to 116 members of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI). The survey asked children's hospitals to provide detailed information on:

Hospital size and patient load

Medical staff

Nursing and other clinical staff

Medical services

Research

Quality and patient safety

Community outreach

Family-friendliness

Specialty areas, such as cardiac services, oncology, neonatology, emergency medicine, orthopaedics and pulmonology

Wolfson Children's Hospital, which ranked in the top 20 percent of the 204 members of NACHRI, was commended on its orthopaedics program, which includes a comprehensive sports injury prevention and rehabilitation program called Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, as well as specialists in bone tumors, a full range of orthopaedic surgery procedures, and advanced technology such as the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib. Wolfson was also lauded for its shorter-than-average emergency room waiting times.

"The Child magazine survey closely examined many aspects of our pediatric health care programs, from our care providers and range of services to the number of patients we serve and the way we care for their families," says Jerry A. Bridgham, MD, chief medical officer of Wolfson Children's Hospital. "We will continue to seek ways to improve our service, expand our programs, implement the latest technologies and keep Wolfson a warm and friendly place for children and families."

"We are thrilled to be ranked among some of the best children's hospitals in the nation," said Wolfson Children's Hospital Administrator Larry Freeman. "This achievement is truly reflective of the commitment of our physicians, staff and volunteers to our mission of caring for children."

About Child
For over 20 years, Child has been the leading lifestyle magazine celebrating today's families. Inspiring five million smart, stylish and savvy readers monthly, Child delivers everything moms want, from thought-provoking editorial and cutting-edge news to the latest trends in children's fashion, home and technology. With a circulation of 825,000, Child is published 10 times a year by the Meredith Corporation .