A national nonprofit and health care watchdog organization has given several hospitals in the Central Valley high marks for teaching, safety and competent care.

The Leapfrog Group, an organization of employers and other purchasers focused on health care safety and quality, named Adventist Health hospitals in Hanford and Reedley among only 10 selectees in California for the Top Teaching Hospital list. The accolade was in recognition of the hospitals’ family medicine residency programs — both of which serve a dozen physicians-in-training each year.

“Our teams are constantly focused on improving care, safety and quality, and our residencies are an important part of that,” said Andrea Kofl, president of Adventist Health in the Central Valley. “Resident physicians learn on the leading edges of medicine, and our patients and team benefit from their insights and perspectives.”

The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2019 safety reports had “A” ratings going not only to Adventist Health, but also to Kaiser Permanente Fresno. These ratings were based on how well a hospital prevents infections, encourages hand washing, supports strong teams and promotes error prevention policies among its factors. Over 2,600 hospitals nationwide were looked at.

Valley Children’s was also named as one of only two selectees in the state for Top Children’s Hospitals. It was also one of only ten children’s hospitals in the U.S. to receive the distinction.

“Every family who entrusts Valley Children’s to care for their children expects the safest, highest quality care,” said Todd Suntrapak, president and CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare. “And we have set the expectation for ourselves to deliver the nation’s best, safest and highest quality care right here in the Central Valley.”