News Information

WRIGHT APPOINTED EXAMINER FOR 2009 MALCOLM BALDRIGE NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD
June 4, 2009

Seymour, Ind.-June 4, 2009-Suki Wright, Director of Quality Services at Schneck Medical Center, has been appointed by Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Deputy Director of Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to the 2009 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive.

As an examiner, Wright is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Award. The board is composed of approximately 500 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and health care organizations, and government.

Those selected meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition. All members of the board must take part in a preparation course based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and the scoring and evaluation processes for the Baldrige Award.

"Serving as an examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is an incredible opportunity to interact with leading experts in quality while assessing how some of the nation's top companies and organizations operate," Wright said. "I believe it speaks highly of Schneck Medical Center that we're represented on the board."

"My appointment to the Board means that Schneck is able to get a first-hand, relevant account of the most up-to-date, nationally recognized practices, and I'm proud to be a part of that," Wright said.

Awards may be given annually in each of six categories: Manufacturing, Service, Small Business, Education, Health Care, and Non-profit. Awards have been presented to 77 organizations, including the 2008 Award recipients: Cargill Corn Milling North America, Iredell-Statesville Schools, and Poudre Valley Health System.

Information about the Baldrige National Quality Program and the application process can be found on the Baldrige National Quality Program's website at http://www.nist.gov/baldrige.