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President
George W. Bush and Commerce Secretary Don Evans today
announced three winners of the 2002 Malcolm Baldrige National
Quality Award, the nation's premier award for performance
excellence and quality achievement. For the first time in
the history of the Baldrige awards, a winner was named in
the health
care category.
The 2002
Baldrige Award recipients are: Motorola
Inc. Commercial, Government and Industrial Solutions Sector,
Schaumburg, Ill. (manufacturing category); Branch-Smith
Printing Division, Fort Worth, Texas (small business category);
and SSM
Health Care, St. Louis, Mo. (health care category).
"The three 2002 Baldrige Award winners are role models
of world-class excellence, and they have achieved extraordinary
results. The men and women of these organizations represent
the highest ethical standards in public responsibility and
corporate stewardship. I am particularly pleased to join the
President today in announcing a first-time winner in health
care," said Evans.
These
three organizations are expected to receive the Baldrige Award
in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., early next year.
The Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award is given to U.S. organizations
that have exemplary achievements in seven areas: leadership,
strategic planning, customer and market focus, information
and analysis, human resource focus, process management, and
results.
All applicants
for the Baldrige Award undergo a rigorous examination process
that involves a minimum of 300 hours of review by an independent
board of examiners primarily from the private sector. Final-stage
applicants receive about 1,000 hours of review and are visited
by teams of examiners to clarify questions and verify information.
Each applicant receives a report citing strengths and opportunities
for improvement.
Named
after the 26th secretary of Commerce, the Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award was established by Congress
in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. organizations.
The award promotes excellence in organizational performance,
recognizes the quality and performance achievements of U.S.
organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies.
It has five categories: manufacturing, service, small business,
education and health care. The award is not given for specific
products or services. Since 1988, 49 organizations have received
the Baldrige Award.
The Baldrige
program is managed by the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) in conjunction with the private sector.
As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's
Technology Administration, NIST develops and promotes measurements,
standards and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate
trade and improve the quality of life.
Statement
by President George W. Bush
Statement
by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy
G. Thompson
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back to NIST News Page
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