LINCOLN, NEB.(May 11, 2009)-Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy today presented the 2008 Edgerton Award for Progress to The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb. Glen Fosdick, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, for The Nebraska Medical Center accepted the award as part of Business and Industry Recognition Day sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats.

The Nebraska Medical Center (NMC) is a 689-licensed bed academic medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Clarkson College. The center has a national and international reputation for its transplant services and is nationally and regionally recognized for its oncology, neurology and cardiology programs.

NMC's leadership puts action and meaning into its tag line SERIOUS MEDICINE. Extraordinary Care. Business and civic leaders, employees, partners, customers and the community all benefit from this commitment to excellence. Consumer's preference of NMC is extremely high and satisfaction with physicians and employees is steadily increasing. The center's employee turnover also has dropped during the past five years.

NMC borrowed from other industries, including the auto, manufacturing and aviation industries to improve its patient safety and care. By reorganizing its supply chain, NMC saved more than $5.6 million in four years. During this recent economic downturn NMC is actually increasing its market share and strengthening financial stability, all while maintaining an Aa3 bond rating.

The Nebraska Edgerton Award recognizes innovation and performance excellence among varying business sectors, including manufacturing, health care, government, education and nonprofits. The award is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development with sponsorship by the Nebraska Section of the American Society for Quality and the Nebraska Diplomats.

The Edgerton award is based on a rigorous assessment by an independent board of examiners in seven key areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results. Examiners, who are generally members of the American Society for Quality, contributed more than 600 hours to evaluate NMC and prepare a report which NMC can use in its path to the Baldrige National Quality Award.

Contact Stephanie Gould, Systems Improvement Coordinator and The Edgerton Award contact for The Nebraska Medical Center, at , 402.559-2086 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the NMC Web site: www.nebraskamed.com.

For information about the Edgerton Award or the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, contact Jenne Rodriguez, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 402-471-3745, www.edgertonaward.com