Aultman Receives Consumer Choice Award for 13th Consecutive Year

CANTON, Ohio (Oct. 20, 2008)-- For the thirteenth consecutive year, Aultman Hospital has earned the "Consumer Choice Award" and has been named the Canton-Metro area and Stark County's "Most Preferred Hospital for Overall Quality and Image" by National Research Corporation (NRC).

The accolades are based on NRC's nationally syndicated 2008/09 Healthcare Market Guide study of more than 200,000 households in more than 250 U.S. markets. Survey respondents provided feedback on local physicians, nurses, health programs, overall quality of care and non-clinical items such as an organization's Web site and community programs.

"The overwhelming support of our local community is a very important testament to Aultman's quality of service," said Edward J. Roth III, president and CEO of the Aultman Health Foundation. "Aultman has a great team of employees, physicians and volunteers who work together to serve patients. Their dedication and commitment to high-quality health care has made this achievement possible."

Aultman is among 226 hospitals nationwide identified as having the highest overall quality and image in their respective metro area by NRC, a national leader in healthcare performance measurement. Aultman is the only hospital in Stark County to receive the Consumer Choice Award every year since the award program was established in 1996.

Ginny Martin, president of NRC's Healthcare Market Guide Division, said, "Consumers continue to be empowered to make decisions for themselves and their families when selecting their health care facilities and services," Martin said. "As care options multiply and consumer perception of quality grows in importance, dedication to providing a high level of quality healthcare becomes essential for hospitals. These Consumer Choice award winners exemplify the dedication it takes to provide quality healthcare to their communities, and we are please to honor them through the eyes of their patients."

Study results are available to consumers at www.nationalresearch.com.

About Aultman
The Aultman Health Foundation is a not-for-profit health-care organization serving Stark and surrounding counties. The vertically integrated institution includes Aultman Hospital, the locally managed health-insurance provider AultCare, The Aultman Foundation and Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences. With 682 beds, 530 active physicians and a staff of more than 5,000 employees, Aultman is Stark County's largest hospital and employer. For more information, visit www.aultman.org.
Media Contact
Leslee Dennis, Corporate Communications
330-363-5319, ldennis@aultman.com