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Department of Medicine Celebrates Increased National Performance Rankings
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
US News & World Report released the results for the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings, with Strong Memorial Hospital coming in at number one in the Rochester region! While the entire hospital celebrates this great news, the department of Medicine would like to recognize the divisions that host specialties and condition/procedures which received rankings: ALL of which greatly improved compared to last year.
“These improved rankings reflect the hard work and dedication of all of our faculty, APPs, staff, and trainees who contribute to the excellent care we provide,” said Ruth O’Regan, MD, chair of Medicine. “Our team is collaborative and innovative, paving the way for better patient outcomes. Thank you for all that you do.”
*Note, the ranking is where we stand compared to all eligible hospitals across the U.S.
Specialty: Cancer
- #196 / Improved ranking by 234
- High performing procedures and conditions:
- Leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma
- Colon cancer surgery
- Lung cancer surgery
- Prostate cancer surgery
Specialty: Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery
- #140 / Improved ranking by 38
- High performing procedures and conditions:
- Heart attack
- Aortic valve surgery
- Heart failure
Specialty: Diabetes & Endocrinology
- #197 / Improved ranking by 45
- High performing procedures and conditions:
Specialty: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
- #124 / Improved ranking by 209
- High performing specialty!
- High performing procedures and conditions:
Specialty: Geriatrics
- #259 / Improved ranking by 90
Specialty: Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
- #70 / Improved ranking by 132
- High performing specialty!
- High performing procedures and conditions:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Lung cancer surgery
- Pneumonia
Special Mention: Nephrology, high performing procedure and condition - kidney failure
There are many factors weighed to calculate the final score. Each division has a unique set of circumstances which led to their increased rank. Across the board, “mortality” scores improved: this score is based on 30-day survival rate of patients after being admitted to the hospital. The department of Medicine credits this increase to the in-depth collaboration of most specialties with the division of Hospital Medicine, led by Justin Hopkin, MD. This multidisciplinary approach can positively impact earlier diagnosis, coordinate care for complex patients, and transition patients to where they need to be in the hospital. Hopkin notes that there have been increased efforts in better recording of how sick patients are, which leads to more precise treatment plans.
Another positive change has been the designation of URMC as an Age-Friendly Health System. As the hospital serves an increasingly large number of older patients across all specialties, the focus of Age-Friendly health care has had a positive impact on patient outcomes and satisfaction.
URMC Presents at Endo 2023 as Hammes Takes on Presidency
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Faculty and fellows from the division of Endocrinology had a successful conference year at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society. This internationally recognized gathering, held in June in Chicago, IL, brought together an impressive assembly of more than 7,000 attendees, including leading experts, researchers, and practitioners in the field of endocrinology from around the world.
The department of Medicine made a significant impact at the conference, showcasing their expertise and contributions through diverse formats such as poster abstracts, oral presentations, and the chairing of sessions.
One of the most prominent highlights of the event was the appointment of division chief and executive vice chair Stephen Hammes, MD, PhD, taking on the presidency of the Endocrine Society for the 2023-2024 term. The esteemed role conferred upon Hammes is a testament to his exceptional accomplishments and outstanding leadership within the field. He previously served on several society committees, was editor-in-chief of two Endocrine Society journals, and is currently deputy editor of the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
“I am simply thrilled to have an opportunity to give back to a Society that has played a major role in my career since my first meeting as an endocrinology fellow in 1998,” said Hammes. “Among many goals for next year, my main focus will be what has always been my passion: improving the clinical and academic development of up-and-coming physicians and scientists interested in careers in endocrinology. I am excited to represent our amazing department of Medicine at this national level, and cannot wait to get to work!”
Presentations by Author
Olga Astapova, MD, PhD – Assistant Professor
Chandni Bheeman, DO – Fellow
Lindsay Carafone, MD – Fellow
Yumiko Esaki, MD – Fellow
Tumininu Faniyan – Lab Manager of Chhabra Lab
Erin Gibbons – Graduate Student in Hammes Lab
Sara Macleod, DO, MPH – Assistant Professor
Lara McHan, MD – Medicine/Pediatrics Resident
Susanne Miedlich, MD – Associate Professor
Muhammad Raza, PhD – Postdoctoral Associate
Dennis Samuel, DO – Fellow
Committee Members
Olga Astapova, MD, PhD: Member of the Annual Meeting Steering Committee, and Editorial Board of the journal Endocrinology
Inga Harbuz-Miller, MD: Trainee, and chair of the Career Development Core Committee
Sara Macleod, DO, MPH: Member of the Clinical Affairs Core Committee
Ismat Shafiq, MBBS: Member of the Special Programs Committee, and chair of the Adrenal Pituitary Special Interest Group
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