FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2009

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Geoffrey Roche
Community Relations Coordinator
Phone (570) 476-3767
Fax (570) 420-2537
Email: groche@pmchealthsystem.org

PMC’s ESSA HVI Receives Highest Rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The highest designation given to hospitals by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) -- a three-star rating for overall quality of heart surgery -- has been awarded to Pocono Medical Center's ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute.  Nationwide, approximately 10 percent of heart centers attain this level, which is a designation recognizing quality and clinical excellence.

This designation was conferred as part of a comprehensive rating system that compares the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country.  The three-star designation is based on data obtained from January-December 2008.

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