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GBMC Earns Two Top 50 Designations in U.S. News & World Report’s ‘America’s Best Hospitals’

GBMC One Of Only Five Maryland Hospitals Ranked In Elite National Listing

BALTIMORE – July 8, 2005 – Greater Baltimore Medical Center, celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2005, today received two Top 50 designations in the U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Hospitals” annual rankings. GBMC ranked 45th in the country in digestive disorders and 46th in cancer, and was one of only five Maryland hospitals cited in this elite national listing.

“This is an outstanding achievement for GBMC and our staff, whose dedication to the highest level of patient care combined with the utilization of cutting-edge technology and new therapies have certainly not gone unnoticed,” said Laurence M. Merlis, president and chief executive officer of GBMC. 

According to the magazine’s ranking methodology, just 176 hospitals scored high enough this year to rank in even a single specialty out of all 6,007 U.S. medical centers (excluding military and veterans' hospitals). 

GBMC, Maryland’s only community medical center cited for two services in the 2005 report, previously has been recognized with Top 50 “America’s Best Hospitals” rankings for cancer (2001 & 1999), digestive disorders (2001), gynecology (2001 & 1997), and otolaryngology (1998).

“Being again listed as among the best in the country in our specialty is humbling,” said Ibrahim A. Razzak, M.D., division head of gastroenterology and director of GBMC’s Kroh Center for Digestive Disorders. “There are many dedicated specialists here working to provide outstanding patient care.”

“We are extremely pleased to receive such prestigious recognition,” said Gary I. Cohen, M.D., medical director of GBMC’s Cancer Center, which runs an average of 60 prevention and treatment clinical trials at any one time. “This is a special moment our doctors, nurses and other clinicians should be proud of.”

GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Hospice of Baltimore, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Community Health Center, which offers comprehensive health and family services to the residents of East Baltimore; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 300-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually as well as providing approximately 50,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org.

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Editor’s Note: The “America’s Best Hospitals” badge is available for download at www.usnews.com