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Awards, Honors and Accreditations

2019

  • MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is a Best Regional Hospital for 2018-2019 by U.S. News & World Report, ranking number one in the Des Moines metro area and second in Iowa. Eight areas are recognized as “high performing” – abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart failure care, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, hip replacement and knee replacement. 
  • As one of the 100 great hospitals in the U.S. according to Becker’s Healthcare, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is among the nation’s high-performing hospitals, recognized for excellence in clinical care, patient outcomes and staff and physician satisfaction. 
  • MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is spotlighted by IBM Watson HealthTM as one of the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. based on a balanced scorecard of publicly available clinical, operational and patient satisfaction metrics and data. 
  • MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is a recipient of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Stroke℠ Honor Roll Elite Award for a commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. 
  • MercyOne Des Moines Laboratory earned continuous accreditation since the College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program began in 1964. One of just 41 labs to receive the honor, MercyOne Des Moines Laboratory is the only lab in Iowa to make the list. 
  • MercyOne Des Moines Cancer Center earned the prestigious National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer Certification (NAPRC) from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). MercyOne is one of just five programs in the nation to achieve this designation, and the first non-pilot hospital to be accredited. Currently, only 15 hospitals across the country have received the NAPRC accreditation. To earn the voluntary NAPRC accreditation, MercyOne Des Moines Cancer Center met 19 standards, including the establishment of a rectal cancer multidisciplinary team (RC-MDT) that includes clinical representatives from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology. 

2018

  • MercyOne Des Moines was named a Best Regional Hospital for 2017-2018 by U.S. News & World Report. MercyOne Des Moines was ranked third overall in Iowa and was recognized as “high performing” in seven areas: abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip replacement, and knee replacement. 
  • MercyOne Des Moines received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. 
  • MercyOne Des Moines was named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening. Designated Screening Centers of Excellence have committed to provide clear information based on current evidence on who is a candidate for lung cancer screening, and to comply with comprehensive standards based on best practices developed by professional bodies such as the American College of Radiology, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program. 
  • MercyOne Des Moines received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. 
  • Wellmark Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® recognized MercyOne Des Moines with a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue 
  • Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community. 
  • Wellmark Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® recognized MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center with a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Bariatric Surgery designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes for bariatric patients, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community.

2017

  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines has been recognized as a Best Regional Hospital for 2017-18 by U.S. News & World Report. Mercy ranks third overall in Iowa and is recognized as “high performing” in seven areas: abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip replacement, and knee replacement.
  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines’ central campus and Mercy West Lakes were the first centers in the nation to earn accreditation in cardiac electrophysiology (EP) by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). The three-year accreditation applies to testing and ablation, chronic lead extraction and device implementation.
  • Mercy received the Mission: Lifeline® Bronze Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. In addition, Mercy was also recognized as a recipient of Mission: Lifeline’s Bronze-Plus award, which recognizes the hospital has reached an achievement score of 75 percent or greater for treating ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) transfer patients within 120 minutes for at least one quarter.
  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines was named a 2016/2017 Consumer Choice Award recipient by National Research Corporation (NRC) for the 18th consecutive year. The annual award identifies hospitals across the United States health care consumers chose as having the highest quality and image.
  • Mercy Ruan Neurology Clinic was named a Corporate Stars Award Sylvie recipient by the National MS Society – Upper Midwest Chapter. This award commemorates the clinic on its above-and-beyond contributions in 2016 to advance the mission of the MS Society to better the lives of those affected by MS.
  • Skiff Medical Center was one of only three Iowa hospitals to be named to the 2017 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the U.S., according to The National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Policy Institute, iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.
  • Mercy and Iowa Heart Center received Ventricular Assist Device Certification from the Joint Commission in February 2017.
  • Mercy’s joint replacement program and spine surgery program were recognized with Aetna Institutes of Quality (IOQ) distinctions. IOQ facilities show excellence in care and a commitment to continuous improvement by offering an exceptional value to Aetna members – which helps members choose facilities that give consistently high quality and high-value care.
  • Mercy Cancer Center Medical Director Richard Deming, M.D., was named a 2016 recipient of the American Cancer Society’s St. George National Medal. The St. George National Medal recognizes outstanding volunteers who have demonstrated ongoing leadership in community mission delivery and significantly contributed to furthering the American Cancer Society’s strategic goals and mission-driven programs.
  • Dennis Zachary, M.D., of Mercy Clinics Family Medicine South, was one of five physicians presented the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP). The IAFP Lifetime Achievement Award, instituted in 2000, is given to one or more Academy members based on nomination by another member, both of whom are in good standing. The criteria includes the recipient being a member of the IAFP for at least 10 years, is involved in significant community service and civic activities, is a resident of Iowa, and is a role model for family physicians, residents and/or students.
  • Mercy Cancer Center Medical Director Richard Deming, M.D., was honored by the Iowa Medical Society with its 2017 Physician Community Service Award. Dr. Deming was recognized for his work as a physician, philanthropist, community leader and founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, and for enriching the lives of thousands through his commitment to the principles of human dignity, social justice and compassion.
  • Susan Beck, D.O., medical director and breast surgeon at Katzmann Breast Center, was recognized as a certified surgeon for Hidden Scar™ Breast Cancer Surgery. Dr. Beck is the first surgeon in central Iowa to perform this advanced approach to breast cancer surgery that hides scars, minimizing the daily emotional reminder of a breast cancer diagnosis. Katzmann Breast Center was also named a Center of Excellence for Hidden Scar™ Breast Cancer Surgery.
  • Bruce Hughes, M.D., was the recipient of the Healthcare Professional of the Year Starfish Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society – Upper Midwest Chapter. This award was given to commemorate not only his devotion to his patients as a knowledgeable and caring physician, but also to the MS Society. David Laughrun, M.D., cardiologist, received the From the Heart Award, presented by the American Heart Association. This award recognizes an individual in central Iowa whose achievements, advocacy, philanthropy and civic efforts have improved the lives of Iowans and Americans.
  • Todd Eberle, D.O., resident with the Mercy Family Medicine Residency Program, received the Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award by the third-year students of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, this award is given annually to resident physicians who demonstrate commitment to teaching and compassionate treatment of patients and families, students and colleagues.
  • Doreen Richmond, director of Nutrition & Food Services, was awarded the 2016 Operation Excellence Award for Food & Nutrition Services by ABM Healthcare.

2016

  • For the fourth consecutive year, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines was ranked as one of the nation’s Best Regional Hospitals for 2015-16 by U.S. News & World Report. The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 26th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. Mercy Des Moines is a Best Regional Hospital in the Des Moines metro area and central Iowa region. Mercy also ranks fourth in Iowa with high performance in the specialties of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, hip replacement and knee replacement.
  • For the 17th consecutive year, Mercy was named a recipient of a 2015/2016 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation (NRC), as announced in “Modern Healthcare” magazine. The annual award identifies hospitals across the United States that health care consumers choose as having the highest quality and image.
  • Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® recognized several Mercy services – including bariatric services, spine surgery and knee and hip replacement and maternity care – with Blue Distinction® Center+ designations. Blue Distinction® Centers are nationally designated health care facilities shown to deliver quality specialty care based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community, for patient safety and better health outcomes.
  • Mercy Cancer Center was granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the cancer program by The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. To receive the designation, Mercy Cancer Center had to meet or exceed 34 quality care standards and must be evaluated every three years and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.
  • Mercy Children’s Hospital & Clinics is now a member of the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) — the voice for more than 220 children’s hospitals nationwide. As champions for children’s health, the CHA advances public policy, enabling hospitals to better serve children and build awareness of child health issues. The organization also serves as a resource for pediatric data and analytics to drive improved clinical and operational performance among its member hospitals.
  • Mercy was verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and re-verified as a Level II Adult Trauma Center. The verification process confirms Mercy has the resources and expertise needed to care for all trauma patients.
  • Susan Beck, D.O., breast surgeon and medical director of Mercy Katzmann Breast Center, was named one of seven Women of Influence by the “Des Moines Business Record.” For the past 17 years, the awards have celebrated the work of women who make a difference in our community.
  • William Wickemeyer, M.D., Iowa Heart Center, was honored with the From the Heart Award, presented by the American Heart Association. The award recognizes an individual in central Iowa whose achievements, advocacy, philanthropy and civic efforts have improved the lives of Iowans and Americans.
  • Dennis Zachary, M.D., Mercy Clinics South, was honored for his long-time commitment to improving the lives of central Iowa residents through his professional and volunteer work by the Des Moines branch of the NAACP.
  • Rajveer Sanger, D.O., chief resident of Mercy’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, was awarded a Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award by the third-year students of Des Moines University.
  • Mercy’s Public Relations and Marketing team took gold, silver and merit awards in the 2016 Healthcare Advertising Awards, sponsored by “Healthcare Marketing Report.”
  • Mercy Cancer Center was granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the cancer program by The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. To receive the designation, Mercy Cancer Center had to meet or exceed 34 quality care standards and must be evaluated every three years and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.
  • Mercy Children’s Hospital & Clinics is now a member of the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) — the voice for more than 220 children’s hospitals nationwide. As champions for children’s health, the CHA advances public policy, enabling hospitals to better serve children and build awareness of child health issues. The organization also serves as a resource for pediatric data and analytics to drive improved clinical and operational performance among its member hospitals.
  • Mercy was verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and re-verified as a Level II Adult Trauma Center. The verification process confirms Mercy has the resources and expertise needed to care for all trauma patients.
  • Mercy Medical Center – Centerville received a perfect score in its unannounced critical access hospital recertification survey conducted by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Perfect scores during these surveys are very rare and this is an outstanding achievement for the hospital.

2015

  • For the third consecutive year Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines was ranked as one of the nation’s Best Regional
  • Hospitals for 2014-15 by U.S. News & World Report. The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 25th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. Mercy Des Moines is a Best Regional Hospital in the Des Moines metro area and Central Iowa region. Mercy also ranks fifth in Iowa with high performance in the specialties of orthopedics and pulmonology.
  • For the 16th consecutive year, Mercy was named a recipient of a 2014/2015 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation (NRC), as announced in “Modern Healthcare” magazine. The annual award identifies hospitals across the United States that health care consumers choose as having the highest quality and image.
  • Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines was recognized as a 2013 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit accreditation agency. Mercy was recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2014 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for heart attack, heart surgery, pneumonia and surgical care.
  • Mercy received recognition in the Business Record’s Best of Des Moines survey. This year, Mercy received the honor of Best Hospital in Des Moines and Runner-up for Best Company Workforce. More than 5,000 votes were cast in this year’s online survey.
  • Mercy’s LiveUp advertising campaign earned a Regional Emmy© at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 2015 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy© award ceremony in Bloomington, Minn. The Regional Emmy© awards recognize the best in television and achievements of individuals and teams.
  • Mercy earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its ventricular assist device destination therapy program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes Mercy’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
  • The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced 25 Mercy Clinics received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships.
  • Mercy was named the #14 most “Social Media Friendly” hospital in the nation by NurseJournal.org. More than 800 hospitals were evaluated for the rankings, which use Facebook and Twitter statistics to determine which hospitals are doing the best job of connecting with their patients and community through social media.
  • Mercy’s Mammography department at its central campus and Mercy West were named as Mammography Centers of Excellence by American College of Radiology.
  • Mercy received the American College of Cardiology’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry ACTION Registry Get with the Guidelines® Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2014, along with the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure Silver-Plus Quality Achievement Award.
  • Katzmann Breast Center was granted a three-year full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), administered by the American College of Surgeons.
  • Mercy Medical Center (downtown CT Scan) received accreditation as an ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology’s Committee on CT Accreditation.
  • Mercy Clinical Laboratory (MCL) was re-accredited by the College of American Pathologists.
  • The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) granted Mercy and Iowa Heart Center renewed accreditation.
  • Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines received full accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with Percutaneous Coronary
  • Interventions (PCI) from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC). The hospital first received this national endorsement in 2005, and was the first hospital in Iowa to receive this recognition.
  • Mercy Center for Rehabilitative Medicine was granted the maximum accreditation period of three years by The Center for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines and Mercy West Lakes received accreditation for its cardiac catheterization lab and for percutaneous coronary intervention by the Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence™ (ACE), an organization dedicated to ensuring adherence to the highest quality standards for cardiovascular and endovascular care. Mercy is the first hospital in central Iowa to earn this accreditation.

2014

  • For the 15th consecutive year, consumers in the Des Moines area voted Mercy – Des Moines as the best hospital in terms of overall quality and reputation. This recognition earned Mercy the National Research Corporation (NRC) prestigious 2013-2014 Consumer Choice Award.
  • For two years in a row, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines has been ranked as a U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Hospital in Iowa. Mercy was named a Best Regional Hospital in the Des Moines metro area and central Iowa region. Mercy is ranked second in the state based on high performance in the specialties of cancer, gastroenterology and GI surgery, gynecology, nephrology, orthopedics, and pulmonology.
  • Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®  named Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines as one of the first hospitals in the nation to receive a Blue Distinction Center Plus (+) designation in the area of cardiac care, as part of the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program. Blue Distinction Centers are hospitals shown to deliver quality specialty care based on objective, transparent measures for patient safety and health outcomes that were developed with input from the medical community.
  • For the third consecutive year, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines was nationally recognized for delivering outstanding care in the category of medical excellence, according to a 2014 study by CareChex®, a rating service of COMPARION®, a national independent health care data organization. CareChex® recognized Mercy as #1 in our market for Overall Medical Care. Mercy was also ranked #1 in our market, #1 in the state and top 100 in the nation for: Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage, Heart Failure Care, Pneumonia Care and Stroke Care. Mercy was ranked #1 in our market, top 10 percent in the state and top 10 percent in the nation for Pulmonary Care, and ranked #1 in our market and top 10 percent in the state for Hip Fracture Repair.
  • Katzmann Breast Center was granted a three-year full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), administered by the American College of Surgeons. In order to achieve the designation, Katzmann Breast Center met or exceeded standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease, and is the only comprehensive breast center in central Iowa to receive this accreditation.
  • Mercy Cancer Center Radiation Oncology (MCCRO) was granted full accreditation by the American College of Radiology - Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation Program for a period of three years.

2013

  • For the 14th year in a row, consumers in the Des Moines area voted Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines the best hospital in terms of overall quality and reputation. As a result, The National Research Corporation (NRC) awarded Mercy its prestigious 2012/2013 Consumer Choice Award.
  • Mercy was nationally recognized for delivering outstanding care in the categories of medical excellence and patient safety by CareChex®, a rating service of Comparion®, a national independent health care data organization (formerly known as The Delta Group).  Mercy was recognized as #1 in our market for Overall Medical Care, and in the following specific care areas: gastrointestinal hemorrhage, heart care failure, pneumonia care, stroke care, pulmonary care, hip fracture repair, major bowel procedures and neurological care. Additionally, Mercy was recognized in the Patient Safety category for being #1 in our market, #1 in our state and in the top 100 in the nation in the following areas: coronary bypass surgery, gall bladder removal, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, heart failure treatment, pneumonia care, stroke care and women’s health.
  • Mercy Clinics was among 30 clinics nation-wide recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a “National Model of Innovative Primary Care.”
  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines was named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals for 2013 by Truven Health Analytics.
  • The Mercy Transplant Services team was awarded the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Medal of Honor Award at the Gold Medal level. Mercy is one of only 22 hospitals across the country selected to receive this award.
  • Mercy Cancer Center was awarded a three-year commendation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC), making it the longest continually-accredited cancer center in Des Moines.
  • Mercy Emergency Department pharmacists were honored at the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) Annual Conference on Patient Safety with an award for Innovation in the Overall Conference Award for Patient Safety.

2012

  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines’ Bariatric Surgery Center was re-designated as an OptumHealth℠ Bariatric Center of Excellence (COE). To receive this recognition, programs must be designated as an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Patients of programs designated OptumHealth℠ Bariatric COEs benefit from safer bariatric surgical care, lower complication rates, highly experienced minimally-invasive surgeons and top quality facilities and technology.
  • The Mercy Brain & Spine Center was named a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery℠ by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield for demonstrating excellent overall quality of care and patient results in spine surgery. Blue Distinction® is a national designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care in specific areas.
  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines received certification of its Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Mercy was recognized for its commitment to improving quality of live for our patients by enhancing standards of care.  Certified AACVPR programs are cognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available.
  • Iowa Heart Center’s Nuclear Department was reaccredited for three years by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Laboratories (ICANL). In addition, the Echo Department was reaccredited for three years by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of CT Laboratories (ICACTL) reaccredited the CT Department at Iowa Heart Center for an additional three years as well.
  • Mercy Medical Center’s Transplant Services department is the only transplant center in Iowa to receive a Gold Award Medal of Honor from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This award signifies the many patient lives saved as a result of level of the high level of quality of care provided at Mercy’s transplant center.
  • The Delta Group, a national independent health care data organization, found Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines to be one of the highest quality hospitals in the nation for a second year in a row. The Delta Group’s analysis of three years of Medicare data showed Mercy to be 31st in the nation – or in the top one percent of hospitals – for overall quality. In addition, Mercy Medical Center earned a CareChex® 2012 Quality Award for being ranked first in the State of Iowa for Medical Excellence in Pulmonary Care, Heart Failure Treatment and Pneumonia Care. CareChex® is a medical quality rating service of The Delta Group – the nation’s largest privately-held health care information service company.
  • According to a report by The Advisory Group, Mercy was awarded five star rankings in hospital quality ratings within the following categories: bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal bleed, gastrointestinal surgeries and procedures, heart failure, maternity care, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, resection/replacement of abdominal aorta, respiratory failure, sepsis and stroke.
  • Mercy also received the 2012 Critical Care Excellence Award and the Stroke Care Excellence Award in addition to the “Excellence Awards” for achieving top five percent performance in three categories: patient safety, emergency medicine and maternity care.
  • Mercy Cancer Center was selected to participate in the National Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) in 2010. Initially intended as a two-year pilot program, Mercy was one of just 30 hospitals across the country – and the only hospital in Iowa – to receive this NCCCP designation. Mercy was recently selected to continue participation in the program for an additional two years. 

2011

  • In July, U.S. News & World Report named Mercy the Best Hospital in the Des Moines metro area for 2011-12. The designation came as a result of Mercy’s being recognized among the nation's highest performing hospitals in the areas of cancer, gynecology and nephrology.
  • In August, Mercy's Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was awarded the 2011 Quality Improvement Award by Pediatrix Medical Group – an organization that employs neonatologists across the nation, including those at Mercy – for its dedication to premature and sick babies and its involvement in the 100,000 Babies Campaign (a three-year quality initiative that aims to improve the care provided to premature babies across the nation).
  • Mercy Family Medicine Center was recognized by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) for the successful completion of a Tobacco Cessation Office Champions pilot project. As one of only 50 family medicine clinics in the nation selected to participate in the study, Mercy Family Medicine Center spent the past year implementing a number of system changes to integrate tobacco cessation activities into daily office routines and assist patients quit smoking.
  • Mercy was named a Blue Distinction Center for Spine SurgerySM by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield for demonstrating excellent overall quality of care and patient results in spine surgery.
  • In July, Mercy was re-designated as a Bariatric Center of Excellence by OptumHealthSM for clinical outcomes, quality and compliance with nationally recognized guidelines.
  • In February, Mercy became one of only 200 hospitals nationwide and the only one in Iowa to be recognized by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) Care Award Hospital. Mercy received the award by demonstrating it hires International Board-certified lactation consultants and offers a dedicated lactation support program.
  • Mercy Clinics was approached by The Advisory Board Company to develop and market a physician office-based health coach (POHC) and medical home training program for heath systems across the country. The exclusive agreement recognizes Mercy Clinics for its innovative work with patients who have chronic diseases.
  • Mercy and Iowa Heart Center were selected to participate as one of just 40 sites in the country – and the only site in Iowa – in a clinical trial to evaluate a revolutionary treatment for severe aortic stenosis, a common type of heart disease. The study evaluates the Medtronic CoreValve System® as a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment option for severe aortic stenosis patients who cannot undergo open-heart surgery.
  • Mercy was recognized for the excellent service physicians and staff provide in their Emergency Departments. Mercy's ED was recognized as performing in the nation's top 5 percent of hospitals with regard to providing care for 12 of the most common and life-threatening medical emergencies.
  • In April, Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes was recognized by HealthStream Research for demonstrating "Overall Emergency Department Satisfaction for a Medium-Sized Hospital (100-249 beds)." As a result, it received the organization's 2010 Excellence Through Insight Award.
  • Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines was recognized as a 2011 Gold Level Recipient of the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Recognition program.
  • Recipient of the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2011 – one of only 167 hospitals nationwide to do so.
  • Mercy was named a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield for demonstrating excellent overall quality of care of patient results in cardiac care.

2010

  • Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes became Iowa's only CIGNA Certified Hospital for Bariatric Surgery in November 2010 after being fully approved by the Surgical Review Corporation and meeting or exceeding a set of stringent guidelines related to patient safety and re-admission rates.
  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, selected Mercy Cancer Center to join a national network of community cancer centers


    offering expanded research opportunities and state-of-the-art cancer care. As a result, Mercy is Iowa's only participating site in the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP).
  • For the 12th consecutive year, the National Research Corporation recognized Mercy as one of the nation’s top hospitals for quality and image with its 2010/11 Consumer Choice Award for the Des Moines metro area.
  • As central Iowa’s first and only Primary Stroke Center, Mercy was recertified by The Joint Commission, earning the hospital another Gold Seal of Approval™.
  • Mercy was named a “Gold Well Workplace Award” by the Wellness Council of America for the third consecutive year for its wide range of activities for employees designed to encourage healthier lifestyles.
  • Mercy was the only Des Moines hospital to receive the American Heart Association’s 2010 Mission: Lifeline Bronze Performance Achievement Award for its commitment to and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients.
  • Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes became the first hospital in Iowa to receive LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S.


    Green Building Council, endorsing it as it one of the nation’s higher performing, environmentally friendly facilities.
  • Mercy received United Healthcare’s highest recognition of “Three Stars and Higher Efficiency” for its excellence in cardiac specialty care for rhythm management, interventional cardiac care and cardiac surgery.
  • Mercy was granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Committee for Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories in the areas of adult stress and adult transthoracic echocardiography for its commitment to high quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.
  • Mercy was named one of the safest hospitals in the country by forbes.com, placing it among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation.
  • Mercy Cancer Center received three-year accreditation as a community hospital comprehensive cancer program by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American


    College of Surgeons (ACoS).
  • The Des Moines branch of the NAACP honored Mercy with a Merit Employer of the Year Award for its demonstrated commitment to diversity.
  • Mercy was designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa.

2009

  • Mercy was recognized for the fourth time as one the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals® for cardiovascular care, according to a study by Thomson Reuters – a leading news and information company.
  • Data Advantage, LLC, named Mercy to the Top 100 Hospital: Best in Value Hospitals™ list, the first and only national study on U.S. hospitals and the value of care they provide.
  • Mercy’s bariatric surgery program was designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
  • Mercy was among 121 hospitals nationwide selected to receive the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s 2009 NCDR® ACTION Registry® – GWTG™ (Get With


    The Guidelines) Gold Performance Achievement Award for its success in implementing a higher standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease.
  • Mercy Medical Center was re-verified as a Level II Trauma Center per the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
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