Awards and Recognitions

2011 Recognition

• In 2011, HealthGrades named Covenant Medical Center among the top hospitals in the nation for bariatric surgery with a 5-star rating.  HealthGrades found that bariatric surgery patients have a nearly 70 percent lower risk of experiencing an in-hospital complication at top-rated hospitals such as Covenant Medical Center compared to a poorly rated hospital.

• Covenant Health System’s Arrington Comprehensive Breast Center (ACBC) has been designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).  By awarding facilities the status of a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, the ACR recognizes breast-imaging centers that have earned accreditation in all of the College’s voluntary, breast-imaging accreditation programs and modules, in addition to the mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program.

• Covenant received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award.  The award recognizes Covenant’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations. 

• Covenant Arrington Comprehensive Breast Center (ACBC) was designated as the region’s first breast center to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance.  

• For the third year in a row, Covenant Health System was named Best of the West – Hospital by KCBD NewsChannel 11 viewers. Other Covenant award winners were:

• Best of the West 2011 – Cardiologist (3rd year in a row!!)
Dr. Jason Bradley
• Best of the West 2011 – Physician – Family Practice
Dr. Jeffrey Owen
• Best of the West 2011 – Physician – OB-GYN (2nd year in a row!!)
Dr. Jennifer Owen
• Best of the West 2011 – Physician – Orthopedic (2nd year in a row!!)
Dr. Kevin Crawford
• Best of the West 2011 – Physician – Pediatrician
Dr. Stephen Stripling
• Best of the West 2011 – Physician – Plastic Surgeon (2nd year in a row!!)
Dr. Robert Schmid

2010 Recognition

• For the seventh year in a row, Covenant Health System was named the Best Hospital in Lubbock in the 2010 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Reader’s Choice Awards.
• For the second year, Covenant Health System was given a Best Workplace award by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. This award is based on nominations from Covenant employees.
• In September, Covenant Health System (CHS) was the first in the region to earn the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. 
• Covenant Health System was recently named on a list of the 100 Best Places to Work in Health Care by Becker’s Hospital Review. The 2010 list was determined through nominations and research.  The 100 organizations selected demonstrated excellence in providing a work environment that promotes teamwork, professional development and quality patient care. Covenant Health System was chosen due to the following criteria:

• Strong Christian ministry dedicated to patient care
• Numerous outreach classes provided to members of the community, including classes on weight loss surgery, maternity classes and support groups
• Assistance and counseling provided for employees coping with personal crises
• Each quarter, Covenant celebrates a few outstanding employees who demonstrate the power of its core values – dignity, excellence, service and justice – in their work
• Learning opportunities are promoted by providing tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities to staff
• Competitive benefits are offered including health care coverage, paid life insurance, 401 (k) plans, relocation assistance and paid time off

• Covenant Health System is the recipient of the 2010 Rose Award for Outstanding Total Recognition Strategy, presented by Michael C. Fina, a leading provider of global employee recognition and solutions, celebrate best practices in employee recognition and recognize companies who engage their employees by fostering a culture of pride, integrity and respect. This year’s Rose Awards program honored 15 diverse organizations in 10 categories.  The winners represent a range of industries including health care, food service, technology, energy and more. 
• CHS earned the most 5-Star ratings in Lubbock from HealthGrades, achieving 5-Stars for Bariatric Surgery, Treatment of Stroke, Heart Failure, Treatment of GI Bleeds, GI Surgeries and Procedures, Treatment of Pneumonia and Treatment of Respiratory Failure.
• In June 2010, Covenant’s HCAHPS Willingness to Recommend score was the top 95% in the nation.
• Covenant Medical Center was the first and only in Lubbock to achieve Cycle III Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI.

2009 Recognition

• Covenant received the 2009 Exceeding Patient Satisfaction Award from Avatar International, for the most improved patient satisfaction out of 300+ hospitals nationwide.
• For the sixth year in a row, Covenant Health System was named the Best Hospital in Lubbock in the 2009 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Reader’s Choice Awards. Covenant Child Development Center was named the Best Child Care Center for the third year in a row.
• Covenant Health System received the prestigious 2009 Texas Association of Partners in Education GOLD AWARD in the category of Community Partnerships – Health for "Operation Clean Hands", a program promoting hand hygiene to decrease absenteeism in schools. This award distinguishes Covenant Health System as a leader in developing innovative partnerships with schools.
• Covenant Health System named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2009 by Texas Monthly. Covenant ranked #33 on the list, and was one of only two Lubbock companies to receive this honor.
• Covenant Health System named the winner of the 2009 Best of the West award. The honor was given to Covenant by KCBD News Channel 11. Covenant earned the most votes from the viewers and the award was presented for the best hospital in the region.
• CHS was recognized as a Gold Winner of the 26th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards for the “It’s a Covenant” nursing newspaper advertising campaign. The CMG television campaign received a Merit Award.
• Recipient of the HealthGrades 2009/2010 Bariatric Surgery Specialty Excellence Award, which places Covenant in the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for bariatric surgery.
• For the third year in a row, St. Joseph Health System (SJHS), including Covenant Health System, was recognized by the Gallup Organization with the Great Workplace Award for one of the best performing workforces in the world. The award is given to only 20 organizations across industries.

2008 Recognition

• Covenant Chief Nursing Officer Karen Baggerly, RN, received the 2008 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Leadership in Health Care Distinguished Alumni Award.
• Covenant Vice President Dereesa Reid, CPA, MBA, was honored with the 2008 Professor Carlton J. and Nell B. Whitehead Award for Leadership Excellence in Health Organization Management by Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business.
• Covenant was named one of the best places to work by Modern Healthcare, who ranked Covenant at No. 21 on its list of outstanding employers in the health care industry.
• Covenant Health System was named the Best Hospital in Lubbock in the 2008 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Reader’s Choice Awards. Covenant Child Development Center was named the Best Child Care Center for the second year in a row.
• For the second year in a row, St. Joseph Health System (SJHS), including Covenant Health System, was recognized by the Gallup Organization with the Great Workplace Award for one of the best performing workforces in the world.
• Covenant Children’s Hospital received the following national awards in Physician Satisfaction from PRC: 5 Star Award—Emergency Services; 4 Star Award—Covenant Children’s overall quality of care; 4 Star Award—Nursing Care.
• Covenant Cancer Institute and Joe Arrington Cancer Center received the Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award for the second time; less than 1.5% of programs nationwide have received this honor multiple times. The COC award is given to comprehensive cancer programs with proven quality outcomes and programmatic development.
• CHS Auxilian Mary Bednarz was elected to the Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteer board of directors.
• Children’s ED was rated #1 in the nation--at the 99th excellent percentile – of all hospitals surveyed nationwide by PRC physician perception survey.
• Covenant Hospital Plainview was named a National Award winner in healthcare service quality for Exemplary Service Most Improved Emergency Care 2007 by Avatar International Inc., a leader in healthcare research and consulting.
• In 2008, Covenant Health System employee pledges and corporate donation totaled $530,000 to the Lubbock Area United Way.  

2007 Recognition

• For the THIRD year in a row, Covenant Health System was awarded the 2007 NRC Consumer Choice Award based on consumer responses to four quality indicators – best overall quality, best nurses, best doctors and best image. CHS was the only hospital in West Texas to receive the award.
• The Web Marketing Association has awarded Covenant Health System with its 2007 Web Award for Outstanding Achievement in Website Development. Visit our award-winning website at www.covenanthealth.org
• St. Joseph Health System (SJHS), including Covenant Health System, was recognized by the Gallup Organization with the Great Workplace Award for one of the best performing workforces in the world. The award is given to only 12 organizations across industries and this year SJHS is the only faith-based organization to receive it.
• Covenant Health System was named the Best Hospital in Lubbock in the 2007 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Reader’s Choice Awards.
• Covenant Children’s Hospital received 5 Star Designation from Avatar, making it the highest rated children's hospital in the country in Avatar’s patient satisfaction data base. 
• Covenant Health System received Most Improved in Inpatient Satisfaction Performance award from Avatar.
• Covenant Children’s Hospital received the following national awards in Physician Satisfaction from PRC:  5 Star Award---Nursing; 5 Star Award—Emergency Services; 5 Star Award—Covenant as a place to practice; 4 Star Award—Covenant Children’s overall quality of care; 4 Star Award—Medical Records.
• Covenant Health System received PRC’s national Physician Satisfaction 4-Star Award—Radiology Services. 
• Covenant School of Nursing received a Texas Nursing Students Association Image of Nursing Award for their efforts to promote healthy eating; they also received the TNSA Guide Dogs of Texas award for fundraising efforts.
• In May 2007, Covenant Children’s Hospital received City Wide Pride recognition for the cleanliness and beautification of the property.
• Darla Harrington, RN, Nurse at Hospice of Lubbock, received the 2007 Nightingale Award from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Covenant nurses Analeen Lane and Mary Rodriquez were first and second runners up, respectively.
• The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce received Excellence Award in communications from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) for the communications strategies and materials used in the “Lubbock Chamber Employer Health Plan Enrollment Campaign.” The Lubbock Chamber Employer Health Plan is a community collaboration between the chamber, FirstCare Health Plans, Covenant Health System, and UMC Health System.
• In 2007, Covenant Health System employees pledged $493,000 to the Lubbock Area United Way.

2006 Recognition
  • Covenant Children’s Hospital one of two hospitals statewide to receive 2006 Designated Trauma Facility Award from Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • Covenant’s Cardiac Rehab program is the only program in the region to receive "Program Certification" from American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab.
  • In 2006, Covenant Hospital Levelland received a 3-year Texas Nurse Friendly Program designation from the Texas Nurse Association (TNA) to improve the workplace for nurses in small and rural hospitals. Covenant Hospital Levelland is one of eleven hospitals chosen this year to receive this designation. 
  • Covenant named Top 10 Medicare hip and knee replacement hospitals for procedures, revisions and implant cost per procedure by Orthopedic Network News in 2006.
  • In August 2006, West Texas Parkinson Society honored Covenant at their annual banquet with an award for our commitment and support of Parkinson's disease support services offered.
  • In February 2006, Covenant Children's Hospital underwent a successful reverification review by the American College of Surgeons as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. Covenant Medical Center underwent a successful reverification review by the American College of Surgeons as a Level II Trauma Center.
  • For the fourth consecutive year, St Joseph Health System has been ranked in the Top 100 of the Information Week 500. Information Week 500 is a prestigious listing of the most innovative users of information technology across all industries.
  • In 2006, Covenant Health System employees pledged $475,000 to the Lubbock Area United Way. The amount pledged was a 9% increase in giving from 2005.
  • For the second year in a row, Covenant Health System was the only hospital in our region to receive the 2006 Orthopedic Care Excellence Award from HealthGrades. Hospitals who received this honor were in the top tier in HealthGrades orthopedic services ratings.
  • For the second year in a row, Covenant Health System was awarded the 2006 NRC Consumer Choice Award based on consumer responses to four quality indicators – best overall quality, best nurses, best doctors and best image, CHS was the only hospital in West Texas to receive the award.
  • Named Best Hospital by the Lubbock Avalanche Journal’s 2006 Reader’s Choice Survey.
2003-2005 recognition
  • In March 2005, Covenant was named one of the best places for moms to work by Lubbock Magazine.
  • Covenant Health System was the only hospital in our region to receive the 2005 Orthopedic Care Excellence Award from HealthGrades.
  • Covenant Nurse Honey Haney, RN, was awarded the 2005 Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Nurse” by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
  • In 2004, JACC/CHS was surveyed by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. JACC/CHS was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by the COC, making it 1 in 40 to be presented with this honor. Only two other cancer programs in the state of Texas received the award.
  • Covenant Health System was awarded the 2004 Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Hospital” by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
  • For the second consecutive year, Covenant Health System received the “2004 Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence” award by HealthGrades, placing it among the top 3.2% of hospitals in the nation. In 2003, Covenant also earned “5-Star” ratings for excellence in cardiac, orthopedic, stoke, vascular and obstetrics care, and was named “No. 1 Hospital in Texas” for overall cardiac services.
  • Covenant SurgiCenter received a perfect score, zero deficiencies, from a surprise Medicare inspection in March 2004.
  • Covenant Children’s Hospital is the first children’s hospital in Texas – and only the third in the United States – to be verified as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons.
  • Covenant received the 2003 “Texans Helping Texans Lone Star Award” presented by the United Ways of Texas, the state association of local United Ways, in recognition of Covenant’s outstanding support of United Way and for its commitment to community service.  In 2003, Covenant and its employees pledged almost $650,000 to the Lubbock Area United Way.
  • In 2003, Covenant was awarded the Harold P. Freeman Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Cancer Society for cancer screening programs targeted toward minority populations in East Lubbock.
  • In 2003, Covenant received the Texas Hospital Association’s “Excellence in Community Service” Award for its “Exercising Body, Mind and Spirit” program for seniors.