Shands Healthcare is the proud recipient of the 2008 Governor’s Sterling Award – the state’s most prestigious award for performance excellence given to organizations and businesses in Florida that are role models for improving the way they do business.
Since the award’s inception in 1992 only 57 organizations have received the honor. “To be in the company of the other great organizations that have received the award is such an honor,” said Jim Burkhart, president and administrator of Shands Jacksonville.
The process to be considered for the award is quite lengthy. It starts with a 50-page application that is scored based on the following seven categories: leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, information and analysis, human resource focus, process management and business results.
Sterling Award examiners review the application and then spend several days interviewing staff at all levels. Examiners interviewed more than 500 staff members over a three day period in March at all of the Shands hospital locations.
In a press release announcement Monday, the governor applauded the organization’s ability to provide critical health care services to patients in Florida and around the country. He went on to say, “The use of technology and innovation is apparent in the organization’s endeavor to allocate all the resources needed to serve patients with excellence.”
Shands Healthcare will officially receive the award at the Governor’s Sterling Award banquet at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes on May 30.
Media can contact Kelly Brockmeier, manager of media relations at Shands Jacksonville, for interview opportunities. For more information on the Sterling Award and to watch video of the announcement log onto www.floridasterling.com.