UConn Health’s John Dempsey Hospital earns the 2015 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care. This is the only national list that recognizes hospitals that both perform well clinically with regard to heart care measures and have a high recommendation rate among women.

“We’re pleased to be recognized for our commitment to women,” says Anne Diamond, CEO of UConn Health’s John Dempsey Hospital. “The fact is: Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute! With heart disease being the biggest health threat that women will face, we’re committed to providing the highest in quality heart care for women and their families.”

An example of UConn Health’s exceptional cardiac care for women is highlighted in this video.

The Women’s Choice Award is based on robust criteria that considers patient satisfaction, clinical excellence, and what women really want when it comes to treatment and a quality hospital experience. “Our mission is to reduce the risk for women and their families so they can make smart healthcare choices,” says Delia Passi, CEO and founder of the Women’s Choice Award, and former publisher of Working Woman and Working Mother magazines.

The America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care list is determined by first identifying the top 25 percent of hospitals across the nation that offer a minimum number of cardiac and/or vascular services. Only hospitals that perform well clinically with regard to heart care measures reported to Medicare, and also have a high Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) recommendation score, a measure that is very important to women in choosing a hospital, are selected. Data provided is totally objective and uniform. No subjective considerations are used to determine the award winners.

“UConn Health not only performed well clinically with regard to heart care measures, but it also had a high recommendation rate, a measure that is very important to women in choosing a hospital,” says Passi.

“As the primary health care decision makers, women account for about 90 percent of all family choices when it comes to matters of health. Making quick decisions goes against her grain and women are seeking more information than ever before when making healthcare or hospital selections,” adds Passi.

Thanks to a toy drive organized by the Connecticut State Police, dozens of toys were donated to Connecticut Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UConn Health Tuesday. Nearly two dozen babies are currently being treated in the NICU and this donation will greatly help the parents who may not have the time or money to buy gifts for young family members.

“These parents have babies that are critically ill so they are spending most of their free time here with their babies so that doesn’t leave much time for shopping,” explains Deborah Feigenbaum, NICU social worker. “So they’re able to do some Christmas shopping here for the children who are important in their lives, helping to alleviate some stress.”

Feigenbaum went on to say, “It’s an unexpected surprise when they walk in and see the generosity of what the troopers have brought to us. And an additional benefit is it makes our staff feel really good!”

Shortly after the toy delivery, Marie Bagdis of Burlington was delighted and grateful to be able to pick out a couple of gifts for her son Dominic. He was born 8 weeks early and is now 35 weeks old.

The UConn Health Board of Directors has named Anne Diamond the chief executive officer of UConn Health’s John Dempsey Hospital. Diamond has been serving as interim CEO since August 2013.

Since joining UConn Health four years ago, Diamond has been instrumental in improving the hospital’s performance in several key areas including quality, service, and patient satisfaction scores. The Joint Commission in 2013 rated UConn Health in the top third of hospitals nationally on key quality metrics. Patient satisfaction has improved in almost all hospital areas, and key measures of service, such as emergency department wait times, have improved dramatically.

Financial and operational performance has also improved as UConn Health has recorded over $50 million in cost savings over the past two years and hospital admissions and operating room cases are now at the highest levels they’ve been in the past four years.

Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, UConn Health’s interim executive vice president for health affairs, cited Diamond’s strong focus on safety and quality and also praised her for her leadership and ability to work collaboratively.

“Anne is an inspirational leader with a strong focus on quality and safety,” Agwunobi said, adding that she will lead a major transition in 2016 as construction is completed on UConn Health’s new hospital tower.

Diamond joined UConn Health in 2010 as associate vice president of clinical operations and became chief operating officer a year later. Following the resignation of Dr. Mike Summerer, Diamond was named interim CEO in August 2013.

Prior to arriving at UConn, Diamond worked for Salem Health, the parent organization for Salem Hospital and West Valley Hospital in Salem, Ore., where she served as vice president for service lines and operations.

Diamond also worked for 10 years at the Electric Power Research Institute, an international not-for-profit organization based in Palo Alto, Calif., where she served in multiple roles including leading the health care research division.

Earlier in her career, Diamond worked at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, as director of the Safety/Radiation Safety Office. She also worked at the University Hospitals of Cleveland as a nuclear medicine technologist and research technologist.

Diamond earned her undergraduate degree in nuclear medicine technology from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa., and is a graduate of Concord School of Law, where she was awarded the Executive Juris Doctor Award for Academic Excellence.