YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, part of Mercy Health Youngstown,has earned the prestigious Guardian of Excellence Award from Press Ganey Associates Inc. for 2014

The Guardian of Excellence Award honors facilities that consistently perform in the top 5% for patient satisfaction among all Press Ganey clients. This is the second consecutive year the center received the award, Mercy Health reported today.

“The consistent results of our patient satisfaction survey validates the dedication, compassion and skill of both our technical and office staff,” said Juli Dulay, manager of the Abdu Center. “As we have maintained 99% patient satisfaction since we began tracking this measure in April of 2012, it assures that we are not only meeting, but exceeding our patients’ expectations.”

Press Ganey assesses patient satisfaction in several areas, Dulay explained, including registration, wait times, helpfulness and skill of the staff, staff explanations for procedures and staff response to patients’ concerns.

“This award is significant because it represents the voice of our patrons -- the women of our valley -- and quantifies their degree of satisfaction with our service. I don’t believe there can be higher praise than this," she said.

Press Ganey is the nation’s leading health-care performance improvement company and partners with more than 11,000 health care facilities, including more than half of all hospitals in the United States, to improve the patient experience, Mercy Health officials said.

“The award is a testament to the organization’s commitment to deliver more patient-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey.

“Our goal is to always provide the best care possible to each and every one of our patients and their families,” said Don Koenig, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Mercy Health Youngstown. “This award acknowledges that we continue to achieve that goal, providing the best medical care delivered with the understanding, compassion and personalized attention that meets the individualized needs of our patients.”

Pictured: Mercy Health leaders and staff accept the Guardian of Excellence Award. Shown are (from left) Roberta Quinn, lead breast imaging specialist; Dr. Rashid Abdu; Joyce Bickley, access specialist; Robert Shroder, president, Mercy Health Youngstown; Juli Dulay, manager, Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center; and Don Koenig, executive vice president and COO, Mercy Health Youngstown.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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