'U.S. News' lists hospital in 'Honor Roll' for first time

by Bill Snyder

Vanderbilt University Hospital has earned a place on the "honor roll" of the nation's best hospitals in rankings released recently by U.S. News & World Report magazine.

This is the first time in the 13-year history of the magazine's annual survey that VUH and The Vanderbilt Clinic have scored in the top tier.

FULL STORY

Child care centers garner state's highest quality rating

by Kofi Outlaw

Vanderbilt's two child care centers received the highest rank of three stars in the first year of Tennessee's new star quality program.

The three-star system, an homage to the three stars on the Tennessee flag, was introduced in the 2000-01 state legislature as a way to recognize quality child care programs operating beyond the state's minimum requirements. Such minimum standards include appropriate health and safety measures, immunizations, sanitation, outdoor play and, since the year 2000, background checks on all staff have been required.

Currently, there are about 140 children enrolled in the child care program at Vanderbilt. According to Diane Neighbors, director of Vanderbilt Child Care Centers, factors such as smaller, more focused group sizes, staff benefits and generally good facility conditions helped to set the Vanderbilt centers apart.

FULL STORY