Baltimore — (December 5, 2014) — MedStar Union Memorial Hospital has been honored by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as a winner of the 2014 Mayor's Business Recognition Award. Recognized for its commitment to outstanding community service, MedStar Union Memorial was awarded on behalf of Project SEARCH, a program, in partnership with The Arc Baltimore, that provides a unique model of skill building and employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The hospital was one of only 13 Baltimore organizations to receive the award.

Launched at MedStar Union Memorial in fall 2012, Project SEARCH is a one-year internship program for motivated Baltimore City high school students and adults with disabilities. The program provides guidance and experience to those individuals who want to explore career options, develop real job skills and learn to live more independently. The program uniquely places students in internships throughout the hospital and also includes a classroom component, through which interns receive instruction in employability and independent living skills.

"We are so blessed to have partners like you," Mayor Rawlings-Blake said of this year’s award winners. "I can't thank you enough for your leadership and your continued investment in Baltimore."

Sponsored by the Mayor's Office, the Greater Baltimore Committee, and Baltimore Development Corp., the award is given annually to businesses that demonstrate business leadership, commitment to community and dedication to improving the quality of life in Baltimore City. This year's winners were honored at the 40th Annual Mayor's Business Recognition Award program held on December 2 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore.

To learn more about Project SEARCH, click here.

About MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit, 249-bed acute care teaching hospital with a strong emphasis on cardiac care, orthopaedics and sports medicine. As one of the region's top specialty hospitals, MedStar Union Memorial has been caring for members of the community for more than 160 years.

We are renowned for The Curtis National Hand Center, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Heart Institute, and our Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine program. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services including diabetes and endocrinology, eye surgery, general surgery, oncology, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery and palliative care.

MedStar Union Memorial was among the highest rated Maryland hospitals based on Consumer Reports rankings in 2013, and is the only hospital in Maryland to receive the Delmarva Foundation's highest honor, the Excellence Award for Quality for Hospitals, for six years in a row.

MedStar Union Memorial has ranked among the nation's top 50 "Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report, earning national recognition for seven consecutive years. Our excellence in care also has been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Award), the American College of Cardiology (ACTION Registry Award) and Thomson Reuters (Top Hospitals®: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success).

MedStar Union Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC). We are the first hospital in Baltimore to receive spine certification by TJC, and the first in the state of Maryland to receive advanced certification for palliative care. MedStar Union Memorial also is designated as a Primary Stroke Center and the Hand Trauma Center for the state of Maryland.

MedStar Union Memorial is a proud member of MedStar Health, a non-profit, regional healthcare system with 10 hospitals and more than 20 other health-related services in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.

Megan Lutz
410-554-2781
[email protected]