Remarkable Month for Valley Medical Center

-- Earned 10th Consecutive Annual "No Findings" Audit from SAO

-- Earned National Budget Award from GFOA

-- Named to Modern Healthcare's Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare

-- Awarded HealthGrades #1 Ranking in Orthopedics, Joint & Spine

RENTON, Wash., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- October 2011 has been a "remarkable" month for Valley Medical Center. For the 10th consecutive year King County Public Hospital District No. 1 (dba Valley Medical Center) has earned a "no findings" audit report from the office of Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag.

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State Auditor Sonntag sent a letter of congratulations to the Valley Medical Center (VMC) Board of Commissioners, noting that the accomplishment "reflects the dedication of the District's Commissioners, management and staff to provide strong operational oversight, good internal controls and accurate financial reporting." Additionally he noted that a critical factor to the District's success is VMC's management and staff who take a proactive approach and fully cooperate with the SAO throughout the audit process. Sonntag views the SAO's relationship with VMC as "a model for other entities in our state."

This recognition falls on the heels of a national award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for outstanding achievement in budgeting. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.  No other west coast public hospital district has achieved this award.

Additionally in October, HealthGrades ranked Valley Medical Center #1 in Washington State and among the top 2 percent in the U.S. for Overall Orthopedic Services, Joint Replacement and Spine Surgery; and the prestigious healthcare publication, Modern Healthcare, announced that VMC has once again made their list of the top 100 "Best Places to Work in Healthcare" in the nation.  Valley is one of only a handful of companies that can boast they have been on this national list four out of four years, and is the only hospital and medical center from Washington to have ever made this list!

"It's been an overwhelming month of incredible recognitions,'" said Rich Roodman, Valley Medical Center CEO. "We are humbled by the accolades, but we also feel so very proud and gratified that our hard work on so many levels is being recognized. Everyone at Valley – from the Board and Administrators to the cooks in the kitchen, physicians, nurses, patient services reps and housekeeping staff – everyone shares in these acknowledgments because we are a team and the honors are a direct result of everyone's dedication."

About Valley Medical Center
Valley Medical Center (VMC) is a public district hospital located in South King County. This 303-bed acute care hospital and clinic network is committed to providing safe, quality compassionate care for more than 63 years. As recipient of numerous HealthGrades awards for orthopedic and spine surgery, including being ranked #1 in Washington state for joint replacement, VMC also provides outstanding care for heart and stroke patients.  Seattle Magazine has named VMC the #1 non-profit in the state for 2011, and for ten consecutive years VMC has been named a "Best Workplace" by regional publications. For the past two years Modern Healthcare magazine has named VMC a Top 10 Best Place to Work in Healthcare in the nation.

VMC provides primary, specialty and urgent care access through an extensive network of neighborhood clinics. VMC's specialty programs include a Level III Neonatal ICU, Level III Trauma Center, joint replacement and orthopedics--as well as numerous other specialties including cardiology, critical care, cancer treatment, sleep medicine and wound care.  Valley Medical Center is a component entity of UW Medicine, which includes Harborview Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Neighborhood Clinics, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine and Airlift Northwest. 

For more information please visit valleymed.org.

SOURCE Valley Medical Center