WASHINGTON—Howard University Hospital recently received great acclaim when it was listed as one the nation’s top 50 hospitals in the treatment of Rheumatology and Hormonal Disorders in the July 1999 US News and World Report 10th Annual Guide to "America’s Best Hospitals."

But the applause doesn’t end there. Howard Hospital is also the home of the 1999 American Heart Association’s Physician of the Year, Dr. Charles L. Curry, the John B. Johnson Professor of Medicine and chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases.

The hospital invited the community to rejoice at their recent rankings at a July 29 celebration complete with free health screenings.

"We are extremely proud of the excellent medical services delivered in these two areas, which are reflective of the overall quality of care," said Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert, of the US News ranking. "Howard University Hospital has delivered excellent health care since 1862, and in doing so has clearly distinguished itself as a pioneer in research, an innovator in the delivery of medical services and a champion of community health care initiatives."

Howard Hospital ranked 19th among the nation’s top 50 hospitals in the treatment of hormonal disorders. These disorders can lead to diabetes. The hospital received a perfect score of 7 in the technology category and boasted a nurse-to-bed ration of 1 to 24.

In the treatment of Rheumatology, the hospital ranked 40th among the nation’s top 50. Rheumatologists assist arthritics and those suffering from inflammatory disorders. Once again the hospital received a perfect score of three in the discharge-planning category, the Rheumatology specialty also received a perfect technology score of 5 and had a nurse-to-bed ratio of 1 to 24

In both categories, the hospital was recognized for having an emergency trauma center as well as its membership in the Council of Teaching Hospitals.

"The hospital’s continuing investment in state-of-the-art technology and its commitment to excellence in human resources enables us to deliver the very highest quality healthcare and medical services," said Howard Hospital CEO Sherman McCoy.

Dr. Charles L. Curry was selected by the American Heart Association for his outstanding work in reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

He was also recognized for his work in low-income communities, and his influence on other doctors as well as other established cardiovascular programs.

"Dr. Curry’s latest honor reaffirms Howard University Hospitals’ 137-year-old tradition of leadership in medicine," said university President Swygert. "We are extremely proud of his work, and are pleased to add his name to the list of African American pioneers who have dedicated themselves to establishing and maintaining the hospital’s strong legacy of excellence in health care and community service."

Dr. Curry is indeed a pioneer. He is credited with teaching more Black cardiologists in the last 30 years than anyone else in the world. He was also the first Black to complete a residence in medicine at Duke University Medical Center and its affiliated hospitals.

"His unwavering dedication to both teaching and medical research has directly impacted the caliber of doctors we are able to prepare for service in addressing critical medical issues surrounding cardiovascular care and the level of health care we are able to offer the international community," said Dr. R. George Adams, president of the Howard Hospital Medical/Dental staff and director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Dr. Curry is the ninth physician to be honored with this distinction by the American Heart Association. He began his tenure with Howard Hospital in 1970 and has been the chief of cardiology since 1973. For more than 10 years he directed the hospital’s Center for Hypertension Control.

Howard University Hospital opened its doors in 1862 as Freedmen’s Hospital. It is the only academic medical center on the campus of a historically Black college or university. It is home to nationally recognized research centers such as the Howard University Cancer Center, the Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program and the Center for Sickle Cell Disease.

Howard University is a private, comprehensive research institution composed of 12 schools and colleges. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees through more than 180 areas of academic concentration. Its 11,000 students come from all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries.