Healthcare Matters

Each year, US News satisfies our collective appetite for lists by slicing and dicing US hospitals by most every conceivable metric –conspicuously trying to be more inclusive. This year, the publication changed its criteria slightly and placed less weight on a hospital’s “reputation.” But it didn’t make any difference.  Every year we see Johns Hopkins, Mass General, Mayo and the Cleveland Clinic pretty much dominate across most specialties –and the intangibles. Congratulations to these and the other recognized institutions.

And congratulations to Soliant Health for carving out its own “list niche” and keeping its annual beauty contest alive. The following three hospitals were selected as the most beautiful in the US. From Soliant: “Some hospitals on our yearly list boast striking, almost aggressive beauty, while some (like our 2012 winner) display a more subtle, welcoming charm equal-to or greater-than the most spectacular hospital architecture.”

Ahh….and I just thought the conflicting use of neo-classic textures were the culprit!

Finishing #3. LeConte Medical Center, Sevierville, TN (13,883 votes)

An inspiring three story $115-million-dollar “mountain modern” rock & stone lodge, nestled near Tennessee’s rustic Smoky Mountains. The hospital’s main entrance opens onto a two-story natural-stone lobby, where a natural feel is created with “wood-look” laminate columns and panels with birch accents.

Finishing #2. Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, CA (39,071 votes)

A patient-safety-based-design that incorporates evidence-based processes into each patient room, and central pavilions with refined color palettes and Renaissance-based art create a modern piazza feel to what is truly one of America’s best-looking medical institutions.

And the winner is…

#1. Martha Jefferson Hospital, Charlottesville, VA (43,217 votes)

Designed by Kahler Slater, Inc. this $275-million-dollar 176-bed, hospital’s six levels are split into the top of Virginia’s Pantops Mountain. Completed last year, a pitched roof and extensive gardens to promote a feeling of home, designer slate elevator bays, decorative frosted glass windows to allow light in as much as possible while maintaining privacy, and hand-crafted tile designed specifically for each patient bathroom, are just some of the thousands of big (and little) touches that make Martha Jefferson Hospital this year’s winner for Most Beautiful Hospital in America.

Source: Soliant Health

—Tom Finn