Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Franklin Memorial Hospital was recently named a Top Rural Hospital by The Leapfrog Group for the first time. The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. From left are Cristie Travis, CEO, Memphis Business Group on Health; Leah Binder, president and CEO, The Leapfrog Group; Blake Hendrickson, operations manager, Pathways to Excellence Program, Maine Health Management Coalition; Shelly Shibles, regional vice president for quality and safety, Franklin Memorial Hospital, Stephens Memorial Hospital; and Trudy Iams, director of quality, Franklin Memorial Hospital. (courtesy photo)