MVH Excels in Orthopedics: Receives the 2021 Women's Choice Award® as One of America's Best Hospitals for Orthopedics

With the opening of its Orthopedic Institute in 2012, Monongahela Valley Hospital raised the bar for excellence in orthopedics - particularly for total knee and total hip replacement surgery. The Hospital continually enhances is orthopedics program including the most recent introduction of ROSA Knee - a robotically assisted surgical system designed to help perform total knee replacement surgery. MVH's commitment to high-quality orthopedic care was recognized for the seventh consecutive year when the Hospital was named as one of America's Best Hospitals for Orthopedics by the Women's Choice Award®. This Award from one of America's most trusted referral sources for the best in health care, signifies that MVH is in the top 7% of the 4,542 U.S. hospitals offering orthopedics services.

"The fact that we have received this Award for seven consecutive years is a testament to the high-quality care and positive outcomes that people receive from our Orthopedic Institute," explained Louis J. Panza Jr., president and CEO of Monongahela Valley Hospital.

There are clear gender differences in musculoskeletal disease. Structural anatomy differences, hormones and genetics are factors in optimizing care for male vs. female orthopedic patients. Because women have higher rates of arthritis than men, some 60% of total joint replacement surgeries are performed on women.

In a national survey conducted by the Women's Choice Award, female orthopedic patients identified the following key priorities when choosing a hospital for orthopedics:

  • Single source for orthopedic services.
  • Solid patient safety record.
  • High recommendation ratings.


"Women have different orthopedic needs, particularly as they grow older and become more at risk for osteoporosis and fractures. They are also staying active much longer," said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women's Choice Award. "Being treated with the proper level of care impacts one's health, well-being and healing, so it is critical for women to know those hospitals that have demonstrated the highest level of quality care for their patients, with a special focus on the needs and preferences of women. We are the only award that recognizes a hospital's ability to meet women's distinctive needs."

The methodology used to select Monongahela Valley Hospital as one of America's Best Hospitals for Orthopedics is unique in that it evaluates Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results along with primary research about women's health care preferences. Award recipients are also measured on their incidence of surgical complications and infections, including:

  • A wound that splits open after surgery.
  • Accidental cuts and tears.
  • Deaths from serious treatable complications.
  • Rate of complications for knee or hip replacement patients.
  • Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI.)
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureu (MRSA) infections.


A hospital must have arthroscopy, joint replacement and spine surgery orthopedic services available to patients, onsite physical therapy and an MRI in order to qualify for the award. It is the only award recognizing excellence in orthopedics based on robust criteria that consider patient satisfaction and clinical excellence.