Winston-Salem, N.C. -- Novant Health is ranked 12th among the Top 100 most highly integrated healthcare networks in the United States, according to SDI, a research firm that evaluates healthcare systems. The annual survey is published in the national publication, Modern Healthcare. Novant is the highest nationally ranked health system in North Carolina.

"The benefit of being highly integrated should accrue to our patients and their families," explained Novant Health Chief Medical Office, Stephen Wallenhaupt, MD. "Our individual hospitals, outpatient centers and physician clinics continue to find new ways to improve our medical care and services by better sharing knowledge and resources."

SDI evaluates health systems based on the level of integration in eight categories: integration; integrated technology; contractual capabilities; outpatient utilization; financial stability; services and access; hospital utilization; and physicians.

Novant Health is a not-for-profit integrated group of hospitals and physician practices, caring for patients and communities in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. The Novant Medical Group consists of 1,068 physicians in 344 clinic locations. Hospitals include the following: Presbyterian Hospital, Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews and Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville in the Charlotte, NC area; Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC; Thomasville Medical Center, Thomasville, NC; Brunswick Community Hospital, Supply, NC; Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, NC; Franklin Regional Medical Center, Louisburg, NC; Upstate Carolina Medical Center, Gaffney, SC; and Prince William Hospital, Manassas, VA. Other Novant facilities and programs include nursing homes and assisted living, outpatient surgery centers, medical plazas, rehabilitation programs, community health outreach programs and the national MedQuest organization with 103 diagnostic imaging centers in 13 states.

The national scorecard and ranking process for health systems began in 1997 and has become a high-profile program for calling attention to organizations that are effectively leveraging the advantages of integrating services and sharing resources. www.sdihealth.com

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