Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Employee Chosen To Select National Award Winners

Group to Review Submissions for Malcolm Baldridge Award

Alexandria, VA – (August 7, 2008) – The National Institute of Standards and Technology recently appointed Rodica Sandor Scoma, clinical administrative director, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, to the 2008 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.

The Board of Examiners, a group of 500 of the nation’s leading experts, judge applications in the arenas of manufacturing, small business, education, healthcare and non-profit.

“This is an honor to review and evaluate organizations that have a commitment to quality care and customer satisfaction,” said Scoma. “The Baldridge Quality Award is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that any organization in the U.S. can receive.”

Applicants are judged on their leadership, strategic planning, and a variety of other fields. The recommendations of the examiners are then submitted to the Secretary of Commerce for selection of a final award recipient. The President of the United States presents the award during a ceremony.

Congress established the Baldridge award in 1987 to recognize U.S. organizations for their achievements and to raise awareness about the importance of quality and excellence in a competitive market.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.