Willamette Dental Group Receives Award in Recognition of its Innovative Approach to Organizational Change in Patient Experience

HILLSBORO, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Willamette Dental Group is proud to announce it has been named a 2014 Success Story Award winner by Press Ganey Associates, Inc. The Success Story Award recognizes outstanding health care providers that have demonstrated leadership, implemented organizational change and improved performance.

“We are proud to partner with Willamette Dental Group”

The Press Ganey Success Story Award is a highly regarded symbol of achievement in the health care industry. Willamette Dental Group is one of only fifteen organizations to receive this honor in 2014 and the first dental company to earn the award. Press Ganey is the nation’s leading health care performance improvement company and partners with more than 11,000 health care facilities, including more than half of all U.S. hospitals, to reduce suffering and improve the patient experience.

“We are proud to partner with Willamette Dental Group,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey. “Willamette Dental Group’s innovation and leadership has led to significant improvement in Patient Experience. Their efforts have truly benefited patients and advanced the quality and delivery of care in the Pacific Northwest.”

According to Eugene Skourtes, DMD, CEO and President of Willamette Dental Group, the award represents an important recognition from the industry’s leader in measuring, understanding and improving the patient experience. “Although we are pleased with our progress, we’re committed to the continuation of our initiatives, which will enhance our patients’ experience. Our goal is to create a total clinical health experience that exceeds our patients’ expectations,” stated Skourtes.

Willamette Dental Group recently pioneered a companywide collaborative program, Advanced Access, to improve patient access in order to meet patient expectations and increase patient satisfaction. As a result of this initiative, wait times for appointments decreased by 75% on average and patient satisfaction mean scores increased by over 10 points to 90 out of 100.

About Willamette Dental Group

Headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, Willamette Dental Group (www.willamettedental.com) has been providing high-quality dentistry for more than 40 years. The company is the largest multi-specialty group dental practice in the Northwest and operates more than 50 dental office locations throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho serving more than 400,000 patients. Its unique delivery model delivers proactive preventive dental care focused on promoting long-term health through a partnership with their patients.

Press Ganey Associates, Inc.

Recognized as a leader in performance improvement for nearly 30 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 11,000 health care organizations worldwide to create and sustain high-performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall health care experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to help clients operate efficiently, improve quality, increase market share and optimize reimbursement. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care – hospitals, medical practices, home care agencies and other providers – including more than 50% of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit www.pressganey.com.