Media contact: Ellen Simon,
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Phone: (941) 917-1499

Sept. 21, 2007

SARASOTA, Fl. - For the 10th consecutive year, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System was named a Consumer Choice Award winner for the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice metropolitan area by the National Research Corporation (NRC), an independent health care performance measurement company based in Lincoln, Neb.

The award identifies hospitals that health care consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image ratings in more than 190 markets throughout the nation.

 The winners, who rank highest in their Metropolitan Statistical Areas, were determined by consumer perceptions collected in the 2007/2008 NRC Healthcare Market Guide study, which surveyed more than 200,000 households across the U.S.

"Sarasota Memorial is deeply honored to be named the area's preferred provider for medical care,” said Sarasota Memorial CEO Gwen MacKenzie. "Our staff work hard to ensure that the hospital's quality, advanced technology and service are second to none.”

“Consumers play an increasing role in selecting their health care facilities and services,” said NRC CEO Michael D. Hays in a press release announcing the winners this week. “As more health care quality information is made publicly available, we expect this trend to increase. These organizations are selected for the Consumer Choice Award by the community residents they serve. We are pleased to honor these facilities for their dedication to quality healthcare in the eyes of their patients.”

###