University Hospital is one of just six adult Level I trauma centers in Missouri and only one outside of Kansas City and St. Louis

University of Missouri Health Care’s University Hospital has earned a renewal of its Level I trauma center verification, while also receiving multiple honors from the American Heart Association, including its highest award.

MU Health Care’s University Hospital has been verified as a Level I trauma center for 41 years. It is one of only six adult Level I trauma centers in Missouri verified by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma, and the only one outside of the Kansas City and St. Louis regions.

“Our Level I trauma center, first verified in 1982 demonstrates MU Health Care’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards of quality, patient-centered, outcome-focused trauma care,” said Dr. Jeffrey Coughenhour, the Frank L. Mitchell, Jr., MD, Trauma Center medical director. “Our renewal should provide confidence that no matter the day, time or type of injury, we stand ready to provide you the best possible care.”

The verification is valid until 2027.

In addition to the Level I trauma center verification renewal, the American Heart Association has awarded MU Health Care its highest honor, the Target: StrokeSM Elite Plus Honor Roll award for meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.

“We are the first and only institution in mid-Missouri to be DNV certified as a Level I Comprehensive Stroke Center, and this latest honor from the American Heart Association reflects the highest level of expertise for treating our stroke patients,” said Dr. Brandi French, chair of neurology.

MU Health Care also earned the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, as well as the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award, which aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

“As an academic health center, our neurosciences doctors are also researchers and educators, which means our specialists are at the forefront of medical breakthroughs,” said Dr. Michael Chicoine, chair of neurosurgery. “Our patients benefit from all of the resources and expertise we can provide.”

The American Heart Association also awarded MU Health Care its Get With the Guidelines® Heart Failure Gold Plus award and Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll Award.

Earlier this summer, MU Health Care received the Orthopedic and Spine Center of Excellence Designation from global independent certification provider DNV. The designation affirms MU Health Care’s excellence in diagnostic services, surgical services and therapies related to orthopaedics and spine care. Read more here.

Contact: Eric Maze, mazee@health.missouri.edu, (573) 884-3656