America's Best Hospitals' Survey By U.S.News & World Report Ranks John Muir Medical Center-Walnut Creek Campus As One Of Nation's Best

John Muir Medical Center-Walnut Creek Campus in Top 50 for Orthopedics and Digestive Disorders

Walnut Creek, Calif. (July 16, 2009) – John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus has again been ranked one of the nation's top hospitals by U.S.News & World Report in its annual list of America's Best Hospitals, that will appear in the July 21 issue of the magazine. The only non-academic medical center in northern California to appear in the Top 50, John Muir Medical Center – Walnut Creek Campus is named #49 in Digestive Disorders and #39 in Orthopedics, making the hospital one of the top-ranked facilities in California in these specialties.

"This is a tribute to the skilled and caring physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers at John Muir Health who have earned this recognition for the third year in a row," says Jane Willemsen, president and chief administrative officer of John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus. "We are proud of this achievement and thank the entire John Muir Health family for their commitment to outstanding patient care. This distinction is a testament to their talent and dedication to our patients and this community."

With one of the Bay Area's largest and most comprehensive orthopedic programs, John Muir Health is recognized for providing the latest technology and innovative treatment options. Highlights include:

• Minimally invasive techniques for total hip and knee replacement to advanced traumatic reconstruction.
• Board-certified, specialty-trained orthopedic surgeons on staff providing innovative and compassionate care in such areas as total joint, spine, hand, trauma and sports medicine.

John Muir Health is also a regional leader in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal disorders. Services include:

• Technologically-advanced treatments such as minimally invasive colorectal surgery, liver resections, small and large bowel procedures, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic, duodenal and other digestive system procedures.
• Highly-trained specialists such as gastroenterologists, surgeons and other healthcare professionals committed to delivering innovative and compassionate care.

Out of the 4,861 hospitals analyzed for this year's "Best Hospitals" rankings, John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus scored high enough to receive the nationwide "Best Hospitals" distinction in specialty rankings. According to U.S.News & World Report, "the rankings were developed and the specialties chosen explicitly to help consumers determine which hospitals provide the best care for the most serious and complicated medical conditions and procedures - not for those that are relatively commonplace."

Results of the U.S.News & World Report 20th annual survey can be viewed on the web at USNews.com beginning July 16.

John Muir Health is a not-for-profit organization that includes two of the largest medical centers in Contra Costa County: John Muir Medical Center – Walnut Creek Campus, a 327-bed acute care medical center that serves as Contra Costa County's only designated trauma center; and John Muir Medical Center – Concord Campus, a 254-bed acute care medical center in Concord. Together, they are recognized as preeminent centers for cardiovascular care, orthopedics, neurosciences, cancer care and high-risk obstetrics. Other areas of specialty include general surgery, advanced endoscopic and robotic surgery, weight-loss surgery, orthopedic and neurology programs. In addition, John Muir Health provides a number of outpatient services throughout the community including: Brentwood, Rossmoor/Tice Valley and San Ramon. All three hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission, a national surveyor of quality patient care.

(Posted July 16, 2009)