Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics Receives the 2025 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care
December 26, 2024
Red Oak, IA–Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH) has been recognized as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award®. This award signifies that MCMH is in the top 2% of 4,675 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services.
Each year, there are more than 130 million emergency room visits in the U.S. Emergency departments continue to be an essential part of the healthcare system as they provide fast, life-or-limb saving care to millions each year. Unlike other hospital departments that interact with the same patient and families for an extended period, ER staff typically have one patient encounter at a time, often when anxiety and fear is at its peak.
“Emergency departments can be very stressful environments, particularly for the elderly or a mother with a sick or injured child,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Women make or influence 94% of all healthcare decisions for themselves and others. They want to be confident that they know which emergency departments in their communities will take care of their loved ones quickly and with the best possible care. Knowing the Women’s Choice Award has already placed their seal of excellence on a hospital is immediate validation that they have made the right decision, easing their concern during a very stressful time.”
The methodology for America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care award is unique in that it combines Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences. The award recognizes excellence in emergency care based on several process of care measures focused on time patients spent in the emergency department, including:
- Total Time Spent in the Emergency Department
- Percent of Emergency Patients Who Left Without Being Seen
Criteria for selecting MCMH as one of the Best Hospitals also included the percentage of patients who came to the emergency department with stroke symptoms who received brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival. Also included this year were hospitals that performed well in responding to patients showing symptoms of severe sepsis, a very dangerous condition. The awarded hospitals represent those with emergency departments with average measure times in the highest 25th to 50th percentile in the country. Additional points were provided for the various trauma center levels.
The award is especially significant given that long waits and high crowding can negatively impact patient outcomes, including patients leaving without receiving medical treatment, longer overall length of hospital stay and an increase in mortality rates.
“Montgomery County Memorial Hospital not only performed well clinically with regard to emergency care measures, but they also have a high recommendation rating, which is very important to women when it comes to health-related decisions” says Passi.
MCMH is one of 508 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for emergency care in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.
In August of 2023, MCMH + Clinics announced its decision to bring all Emergency Department providers under its direct employment. In a significant move, the hospital on boarded six new providers, comprising of medical doctors and advanced practice providers. This move assembles an eight-member team of experienced emergency medicine providers. These providers are seamlessly integrated into the MCMH Medical staff, embodying a dedication to providing top-tier care to our patients.
Under the leadership of Dr. Angela Kerchner, Medical Director of Inpatient & Emergency Medicine, the newly formed team comprises both familiar faces and new faces, all of who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the ED. The team is comprised of Angela Kerchner, MD; Scott Hoffman, DO; Steve Lapke, MD; Chris Lindgren, MD; Tu Anh Luong, MD; David Owens, MS, ARNP (Lead Hospitalist & Emergency Medicine); Leah Rowell, PA-C, and Tom Schmadeke, PA-C (Primary Care & Emergency Medicine).
Krystalle Fada, MCMH + Clinics Chief Nursing Officer, expresses her gratitude and community commitment, "Winning the Women's Choice Award for Emergency Care is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services. This recognition underscores our dedication to prioritizing timely and compassionate emergency care, ensuring that patient’s feel safe, respected, and empowered during their healthcare journey. It serves as a reaffirmation of our mission to deliver excellence in emergency services, fostering trust and confidence within the communities we serve."
For the full list of the Best Hospitals for Emergency Care, please visit https://womenschoiceaward.com/best-emergency-care
ABOUT Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics
Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics is a leading healthcare institution dedicated to serving the needs of our community. With a focus on patient-centric care and a commitment to fostering lasting relationships, MCMH provides a comprehensive range of medical services, anchored by a team of skilled professionals.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD®
The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and coveted credential that identifies the nation’s best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations. The Best Hospitals demonstrate exceptional ratings, providing the highest level of care and commitment to their patients’ health and well-being. The Women's Choice Award is the only designation that takes into consideration the preferences of women when selecting a hospital. Visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/ to learn more.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kathi Waldhof |Women’s Choice Award® Best Hospitals Program Administrator
T: (954) 922-0846 x. 2
KWaldhof@womenschoiceaward.com
Jamie Werges, Community Relations Director, Montgomery County Memorial Hospital
T: (712) 623-7268
jamwer@mcmh.org