In this video interview, Ann Varghese, administrator at the UTMB Clear Lake and League City campuses, talks about her career path, what makes a great leader and even a little bit about traffic on I-45.
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The position, which had been held by Beth Reimschissel since 2018 until her departure in February, oversees operations at ADC.
As part of an ongoing accreditation process, the UTMB PD invites public feedback via the CALEA Public Comment Portal.
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) has been recognized as one of Healthgrades’ 250 Best Hospitals for 2025, placing it among the top five percent of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance. This prestigious honor—which the university also received in 2023 and 2024—reflects UTMB Health’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care and achieving outstanding clinical outcomes.
Healthgrades, an online resource for information about doctors and hospitals, evaluated approximately 4,500 hospitals across more than 30 common procedures and conditions. The rankings are determined through a rigorous, clinically validated methodology focused on key patient outcomes such as mortality and complication rates.
“This recognition as one of Healthgrades’ 250 Best Hospitals for 2025 underscores UTMB Health’s dedication to delivering the highest standard of care,” said Dr. Jochen Reiser, UTMB President and CEO of the UTMB Health System. “Being ranked in the top five percent of hospitals nationwide reflects the incredible work of our physicians, nurses, and staff who prioritize patient safety, innovation, and excellence in every aspect of care.”
According to Healthgrades’ annual analysis, if all hospitals in the United States performed at the level of America’s 250 Best Hospitals, an estimated 174,081 lives could be saved annually. As hospital quality ratings continue to guide consumer decisions, this recognition highlights the importance of access to top-performing health care facilities.
“We are proud to provide high-quality care to our community, ensuring that our patients receive the best outcomes possible right here in our local communities,” Reiser said. “This award reflects not only our clinical excellence but also our role as a trusted clinical care partner for the region.”
The Top 250 hospitals award follows an announcement in October that UTMB Health received numerous other recognitions from Healthgrades. Among UTMB’s distinctions were for Specialty Excellence Awards, placing the hospital among the nation’s top 10% for pulmonary care, gastrointestinal surgery and critical care. UTMB was also rated five stars for eight services, including treatment of heart failure, pacemaker procedures, spinal fusion surgery, treatment of pneumonia, colorectal surgeries, upper GI surgeries, treatment of sepsis and treatment of respiratory failure.
For more information about Healthgrades’ 2025 America’s Best Hospitals and the full list of recipients, visit https://www.healthgrades.com/quality/americas-best-hospitals?americasBestAwardType=top250.
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