Our mission to save and improve lives means striving to provide the best care for our patients and community. Through our hard work and dedicated efforts, MU Health Care is proud to have received the following awards, accreditations and recognitions.
Blue Distinction Centers
Through the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program, MU Health Care’s bariatrics, spine surgery and kidney transplant programs have been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for its proven expertise, high quality care and patient results.
MU Health Care also has several awards and accreditations for our specialty areas.
- Trauma Care
- Stroke Care
- Bariatric Surgery
- Breast Care
- Gastroenterology Care
- Heart and Vascular Care
- Orthopaedic Care
- Organ and Tissue Donation
- Primary Care
- Women’s Health
- Research
- Technology
Trauma Care
Our University Hospital 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 metropolitan regions. Our most recent reverification by the ACS will last through April 2027.
Stroke Care
MU Health Care is the first and only institution in mid-Missouri and one of only 11 health systems nationwide to earn the Comprehensive Stroke Center certification from DNV, a global independent certification provider. This certification reflects the highest level of care and expertise for stroke care.
We’ve also received the 2024 American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s highest honor with the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus award, as well as the “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke GOLD PLUS with and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
Bariatric Surgery
University Hospital is a MBSAQIP Accredited Comprehensive Center, and our bariatric surgery team is one of the top in the nation. MU Health Care’s bariatrics team is also a Blue Distinction Specialty Care program, a member of the Institutes of Quality as designated by Aetna, and an Optum Bariatric Resources Services Centers of Excellence program member.
Breast Care
Our breast care center has received full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). This means our center is committed to the highest level of quality breast care and was awarded this accreditation by the American College of Surgeons.
Gastroenterology Care
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized MU Health Care’s Missouri Digestive Health Center with the ASGE Endoscopy Unit Quality Recognition Award. The award recognizes endoscopy centers that promote quality and safety in accordance with ASGE guidelines.
Heart and Vascular Care
MU Health Care holds the highest designation in Missouri for treating STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). STEMI is a specific type of heart attack caused by the complete blockage of an artery. As a Level 1 STEMI Center, heart attack specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Orthopaedic Care
MU Health Care has received the Orthopedic and Spine Center of Excellence Designation from global independent certification provider DNV, making us one of only 11 in the country to receive this award. Our sports medicine doctors are also the official team physicians for Mizzou Athletics.
Organ and Tissue Donation
Our Capital Region Medical Center received the Organ and Tissue Donation Excellence Award for a higher-than-average number of families granting authorization for organ and tissue donation throughout 2023.
Primary Care
Thirteen of our primary care clinics have achieved recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). The PCMH designation recognizes primary health care providers that put patients at the forefront of care. Those clinics include our Family Medicine Clinics in Ashland, Boonville, Fulton, Fayette, Keene Street in Columbia, Mexico, Smiley Lane in Columbia and South Providence Medical Park; our Pediatric Clinics at South Providence Medical Park and Battle Avenue Medical Building, and the Internal Medicine Clinics at Woodrail and Fairview in Columbia.
Women's Health
MU Health Care’s Birthing Center in Columbia has been awarded the Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2015. As one of only eight hospitals in Missouri with the Baby-Friendly designation, our care ensures moms and babies have the highest level of support for bonding and feeding.
Research
MU Health Care has been selected by Avant-Garde Health as a Healthcare Research All-Star, ranking in the top 5% of hospitals publishing leading-edge health care research.
Technology
MU Health Care was recognized as a 2023 HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence organization. MU Health Care is one of only four organizations globally to win this distinction a third time and is the only health care organization using Oracle’s information technology platform to reach this milestone.