PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Pikeville Medical Center has been racking up award after award within the past few years and hospital officials announced yesterday the facility has won yet another national honor.

According to Walter E. May, PMC president and chief executive officer, the facility has been named in US News and World Report's 2010-11 Best Hospitals list.

According to the magazine, 152 hospitals in the country made the list. Slightly under 5,000 hospitals — which the magazine claims is "virtually every hospital in the country" — were evaluated using specific criteria that included areas ranking in medical specialties, death rates, quality of care, technology, nursing care and patient safety. This is the 21st year US News and World Report has published the list.

"We are proud to be included in this prestigious award," May said. "We did not apply for this award."

He said the magazine reviews hospitals using data provided to other sources to create an ranking independent of hospital input.

"Accolades are important," May continued. "But, we cannot rest on our laurels — we've only just begun."

The hospital has been named as the 2009-2010 National Hopspital of the Year by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers, one of the best places to work by Modern Healthcare and has repeatedly won recognition as one of Kentucky's best workplaces. Level 3 (highest ranking)Accredited Chest Pain Center,

"Our future is dependent on the leadership of this hospital — it is the largest employer in the county," said Wayne T. Rutherford, Pike County judge-executive, "Pikeville Medical Center deserves all the awards it has received and (the staff) are to be commended on your courage of heart for the work you do every day."