BANGOR – Sister Mary Norberta, president and chief executive officer of St. Joseph Healthcare, announced that St. Joseph Hospital was ranked number one nationally for having the highest patient satisfaction scores.

Avatar International Inc., a medical research, consulting and training firm, conducts patient satisfaction surveys for hospitals nationwide. Survey questions relate to the care received, whether that care met expectations, friendliness of staff, etc.

According to statistical data, patients utilizing St. Joseph Hospital services have higher expectations than patients for any other hospital in the country. Based on survey results for 2002, Avatar presented St. Joseph Hospital an award for having the highest patient satisfaction scores within the 100-150 beds classification.

Sister Norberta praised employee dedication by saying, “Because of each employee’s commitment to our mission and values, we are able to provide extraordinary care to those who come to us.”

Also congratulating the staff for an exceptional job was Ed Darling, president of St. Joseph Hospital’s board of trustees. “Our vision for the organization,” he said, “is to excel as a leader in high quality and affordable patient care, while at the same time providing superior community service. This award is proof of this vision.”