March 28, 2008

• Voted consumer-friendly hospital

• Invited to apply for award

• One of three winners in state

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital has been selected as one of America's most customer-friendly hospitals by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.

UAB has earned the Hospital of Choice Awards for the first quarter of 2008 from the alliance for its unparalleled commitment to good citizenship and community service. The selection process involved reviewing public information such as websites, news releases, announcements, as well as phone surveys of hospital staff and applications submitted for review. UAB Hospital was invited to apply for the award by the alliance.

The American Alliance of Healthcare Providers designed the Hospital of Choice Awards to recognize those hospitals that go beyond their walls in pursuit of excellence and quality care -- hospitals that have developed a collaborative relationship with not only patients by physicians and healthcare organizations in the community, as well as managed care organizations and other payors.

UAB is one of three hospitals in the state to earn the award in 2008.