Charleston Area Medical Center is one of four organizations nationally to receive the 2015 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's highest Presidential honor for performance excellence.
The award, first announced last fall, was officially awarded Sunday at a ceremony in Baltimore.
The Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987. Since the first group was recognized in 1988, 109 awards have been presented to 102 organizations (including seven repeat recipients) throughout the country, according to a release from CAMC.
CAMC has for the past two years ranked in the top 5 percent for quality inpatient service by Healthgrades, a national service that rates the performance of physicians, hospitals and health care providers. The hospital system also received the group's Distinguished Hospital Award.
"As one of the largest employers in West Virginia, and the largest health care institution, we have an obligation to excel," David Ramsey, CAMC president and CEO, said in a statement. "The Malcolm Baldrige criteria and application process have helped us focus our attention and creativity on all aspects of our business, making us a better employer, teacher, partner and care giver."
Along with CAMC, 2015's recipients included MidwayUSA in Columbia, Missouri, Charter School of San Diego and Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis.
"This year's Baldrige Award honorees have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving their performance in all facets of their organizations, and they have served as role models for others to follow," U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said in a release. "As America's Innovation Agency, the Commerce Department is honored to support innovators and job creators who power our economy and help keep America open for business."