September 26, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

Congratulations! For the tenth straight year, The Johns Hopkins Hospital has received the Consumer Choice Award for the Baltimore region from the National Research Corporation (NRC). Hopkins also was co-winner with two other hospitals in two other areas of Maryland, with Shady Grove Adventist in Bethesda and with Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown

Each year, NRC honors those hospitals rated by consumers as having the best quality, based on the NRC's survey of more than 200,000 households in 80 markets across the nation.

We are especially gratified that our patients continue to rate us so highly. Their perception of the high quality they expect – and get – from Hopkins is a testament to your hard work and dedication. For this, we thank you.

For more information about this award, please visit www.nationalresearch.com.

Edward D. Miller, M.D

Ronald R. Peterson