For Immediate Release

Contact: Mary Poole
                    (409) 212-6145
                    (409) 291-3731 (Mobile)

Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital Earns Recognition For Disease-Specific Care-Stroke

BEAUMONT - (September 25, 2007) - Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital's Stroke Program has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for Disease-Specific Care. To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive, unannounced, on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program's processes, the program's ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

"This certification means that Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital does the right things and does them well for Stroke patients," stated Nancy Sims, Chief Nursing Officer. "We voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide. We are proud to achieve this distinction."

The Joint Commission launched its Disease-Specific Care Certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org. Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospitals seek to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to patients through the continuation of accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations.