DOWNEY - Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center was honored by Supervisor Don Knabe and his colleagues at Tuesday's meeting of the Board of Supervisors for being ranked 7th out of 138 hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange County by U.S. News & World Report magazine. Rancho was the highest-rated hospital in Southern Los Angeles."Everyone knows I'm very passionate about the quality of the care at Rancho," Supervisor Knabe said as he presented a special scroll signed by all five Supervisors to more than a dozen Rancho leaders in attendance. "I have seen with my own eyes the miracles that happen each and every day at this remarkable hospital. This recognition acknowledges the extraordinary work being done by the doctors, therapists, nurses and team members at Rancho on behalf of patients with catastrophic illnesses and injuries. I congratulate every member of the Rancho staff for a job well done." Dr. Mitchell Katz, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, was also present to salute Rancho. "Rancho has built an international reputation based on clinical leadership and quality," he said. "I am very pleased that this world-renowned hospital continues to build upon its legacy, having been selected one of 'America's Best Hospitals' in Rehabilitation Medicine for 21 consecutive years. My goal is that within five years every single L.A. County hospital will join Rancho in being recognized on the 'Best Hospitals' list." Rancho Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mindy Aisen told the Supervisors and the audience at the Board meeting that Rancho continues to innovate to hold its leadership position. "We are creating what we believe will be the most effective medical home in the nation for patients with disabilities," she said. "We are exploring new and better ways of providing care for our patients, including applying the latest in advanced technology to the patient experience." Dr. Aisen explained Rancho's strategy to reinvent rehabilitation medicine by using robotics, virtual reality and other emerging technologies to enhance the patient experience at Rancho. "We are right were Rancho should be… s at the forefront of advances that will improve our ability to deliver the best possible care for many years to come."

********** Published: May 19, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 5