Cary Medical Center Celebrates Top Hospital Designation

Some proud employees and patrons of an area medical facility today. The CEO of Cary Medical Center was honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC on behalf of the Caribou hospital for the highest level of patient satisfaction and safety.

Kris Doody was among executives from 98 hospitals nationwide honored today, and one of just 6 from Maine. Cary has been named to the annual list of Top Hospitals by the Leapfrog Group, a non-profit organization which assesses more than 1,600 medical facilities each year for patient safety and quality, resource use and management structures established to prevent errors

Cary Board of Directors chair Greg Collins said that this year the hospital is in the top 24 rural hospitals in the country and in the top 12 of children's hospitals. It also made it to number 62 for top urban hospitals, since Caribou is an incorporated city and serves a broad area of northern Maine.

Collins' sister, US Senator Susan Collins, congratulated her home town medical facility via video link-up during a press conference. She recalled being born at Cary and having relatives on long-time staff at the hospital.

Cary Chief Operating Officer Shawn Anderson says the hospital has also been given an "A" grade in their Hospital Patient Safety Score. Only 10 other hospitals received that grade.

Leapfrog Group CEO Leah Binder said top hospitals awarded the Avatar Best Performer status have lower infection rates, better outcomes, decreased length of stay and fewer re-admissions.