11 Teams Across URochester Medicine Honored by Greater Rochester Quality Council
Eleven teams across URochester Medicine’s integrated health system were recognized at the Greater Rochester Quality Council’s 2026 Performance Excellence Awards, celebrating organizations dedicated to continuous improvement and high-quality care across our region.
"Quality improvement at URochester Medicine is fundamentally about our people coming together to solve challenges and continuously enhance patient care,” said Chief Quality Officer Angelique Cohen, MD. “These award-winning projects powerfully demonstrate what is possible when we combine data, teamwork, compassion, and creativity. It is this dedication to excellence that keeps our organization at the forefront of healthcare."
This year’s awards represent quality improvement projects across URochester Medicine’s hospitals and home healthcare program.
A Golisano Children’s Hospital team earned a Platinum Award for improving the surgical experience and reducing delays for pediatric dental patients with complex behavioral and developmental needs.
"These awards are a testament to the unwavering dedication and exceptional commitment of teams across our health system,” said Chief Clinical Officer Richard D. Schulick, MD, senior vice president for Health System Clinical Innovation and Strategy. “Excellence in healthcare requires more than delivering outstanding care in individual settings. It requires us to continually learn, collaborate across our health system, and find better ways to serve our patients and communities. These awards acknowledge our collective pursuit of excellence, underscore the profound impact of our collaborative efforts, and inspire us to continue innovating and elevating the standard of care throughout our region."
URochester Medicine Home Healthcare team members were recognized with a Platinum Award for increasing hospice visits to patients during their final three days of life.
Six URochester Medicine projects earned Platinum Awards, the highest honor. Teams were recognized for successfully:
- Improving the experience and reducing delays for pediatric dental surgical patients with complex behavioral and developmental needs at Golisano Children’s.
- Increasing the percentage of hospice patients receiving visits in their last three days of life through URochester Medicine Home Healthcare.
Highland Hospital team members received a Platinum Award for their work reducing orthopaedic surgical site infections.
- Reducing orthopaedic surgical site infections at Highland Hospital.
- Improving the patient and family experience during C-section deliveries at Strong Memorial Hospital
- Strengthening safety culture, event reporting, and data-driven improvement at Jones Memorial Hospital.
- Improving regional care coordination and capacity to help patients receive high-acuity care closer to home across URochester Medicine’s Southern Region.
Strong Memorial Hospital team members received a Platinum Award for improving the patient and family experience during cesarean deliveries.
- Improved surgery start times for the first cases of the day at Strong Memorial and Golisano Children’s, which reduced downstream delays and improved operating room efficiency.
- Reduced the length of hospital stays for patients with complex infections at Thompson Health.
A Jones Memorial Hospital team earned a Platinum Award for strengthening safety culture, improving event reporting, and advancing data-driven improvements.
- Transitioned pharmacy order verifications to a 24/7 schedule and expanded clinical pharmacist roles at Noyes Memorial Hospital.
- Enhanced early identification, documentation, and management of malnutrition in patients at Geneva General Hospital, which subsequently expanded the program to long-term care settings.
URochester Medicine team members received a Platinum Award for improving care coordination and hospital capacity across the Southern Region, helping patients access high-acuity care closer to home.
A Pathfinder Award was presented to a team at Strong Memorial for reducing the median length of stay for patients awaiting nursing home placement. This work supported improved patient mobility, enhanced patient flow, and stronger collaboration across care teams.
Visit the Greater Rochester Quality Council website for more details and a complete list of Performance Excellence Award winners.
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