(St. George, UT) - Dixie Regional Medical Center is among the nation’s Best Regional Hospitals 2011-12, according to U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Hospitals. U.S. News annually publishes the Best Hospitals rankings in July. At the midpoint of the 2011-12 year, its editors have now recognized 247 hospitals outside major metropolitan areas, including Dixie Regional, as Best Regional Hospitals. For the hospital list and rankings, go to Best Regional Hospitals.

Terri Kane, CEO and Administrator of Dixie Regional Medical Center said, “We’re honored to be recognized this week alongside some of the country’s best hospitals. Our staff and physicians dedicate themselves every day to providing high quality care. This recognition is a direct result of their commitment to our patients in the communities we serve," Kane said.

Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor said, Hospitals like Dixie offer a high level of medical care to communities that otherwise might have limited options. "All Best Regional Hospitals are what we call ‘high performers’ in at least one medical specialty. They are fully capable of providing first-rate care, even to most patients who have serious conditions or need demanding procedures," Comarow said.

Nearly 5,000 hospitals in 16 different medical specialties are evaluated annually by U.S. News. Hard numbers substantiate the publication's analysis in most specialties; death rates, patient safety, procedure volume, and other objective data. Physicians’ responses to a national survey, in which specialists are asked to name hospitals they consider best in their specialty for the toughest cases was also a factor in the analysis.