Moon Township, PA, (February 8, 2012) –IMS Health in Danbury Connecticut has named Heritage Valley Health System as one its top 100 IHNs for 2012. The list, which appears in the January 23 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine, recognizes the best integrated health networks in the country.

IMS Health took ownership of the list last November after acquiring data analytics firm SDI Health, and renamed the rankings – IMS Top 100 IHNs. Researchers determine the rankings by compiling a health system’s overall score measuring 33 attributes in eight differently weighted performance categories. Overall integration is the most heavily weighted. Other categories include integrated technology, financial stability, hospital utilization and contract capabilities. Services and access, outpatient utilization and physician services are also measured.

Heritage Valley moved up the list in 2012 having been listed in 2011 in its “Best of the Rest” section. Heritage Valley was listed at number 89 in the new list, the only health system in Southwestern Pennsylvania included in the Top 100.

“We are honored to have been recognized by IMS as one of the top integrated health networks in the country,” said Norm Mitry, President and CEO of Heritage Valley Health System. “Heritage Valley Health System constantly strives to be a leader among community health systems nationally. This recognition from IMS attests to the strategic vision of our board of directors and the hard work and dedication of our medical staff, employees and management team on providing exceptional health services across a seamless delivery system.”

In the Modern Healthcare article, physician alignment and expanding health care IT, including electronic health records systems, is emphasized as a key role in system integration. “Since our formation in 1996, our Board of Directors’ ongoing commitment to these two strategic items has contributed greatly to our strength and success,” added Mr. Mitry.

For more information on the 2012 IMS Top 100 IHNs, please visit: www.imshealth.com/ihn100.