Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to present the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics' Annual Report for 2003-2004. This past year will be remembered for several significant accomplishments that have brought us national recognition and strengthened our reputation for excellence in patient care, education, and research.

This year's report celebrates our ongoing efforts to build upon these accomplishments and highlights some of the many ways that the pursuit of excellence is manifested at UI Hospitals and Clinics on a daily basis.

The high-quality programs, services, and technologies offered at UI Hospitals and Clinics rival those found anywhere in the world. From robotic surgery to advanced imaging technologies, our experts provide each and every patient with the most advanced care possible. This expertise spans a broad range of medical specialties, from cancer and heart disease to the neurosciences and children's health care.

Through our research and clinical trials, we expand man's knowledge of disease, pioneer exciting new clinical interventions, and provide our patients with the most innovative, cutting edge medical treatment options available.

We owe our fine reputation to a dedicated complement of faculty and staff that takes great pride in performing every daily activity to the highest standards of excellence.

It is for this reason I was so proud when UI Hospitals and Clinics became the 101st hospital in the country and first hospital in Iowa to earn the prestigious Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence. This designation is recognized as the ultimate benchmark for measuring nursing and patient care quality, earned by only a very select few of the nation's best hospitals. Our Magnet status is truly a reflection of the teamwork that exists here at UI Hospitals and Clinics and the commitment of so many individuals to delivering a level of excellence that is second to none.

Our reputation for excellence draws not only patients, but also outstanding physicians, nurses, support staff, volunteers, and friends. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is fortunate to attract the best and the brightest from Iowa and across the country. It is through the collaborative efforts of these gifted and highly motivated individuals that we are able to effectively develop new clinical knowledge, prepare the next generation of medical professionals, and solidify our status as one of the premier health care providers in the world.

Though we are incredibly proud of our growing reputation and the recognition that we have enjoyed this past year, our overarching pursuit of excellence is driven not by the promise of accolades but by our sense of mission. All at UI Hospitals and Clinics recognize we have a responsibility to our patients and, indeed, the residents of Iowa, to constantly strive to make our excellent care even better.

On behalf of the faculty, staff and volunteers at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, thank you for your support of our efforts to deliver world-class health care and our ongoing pursuit of excellence in all we do.

Donna Katen-Bahensky
Director and CEO