The most important critics—Birmingham-area residents—rate UAB Hospital as one of the most preferred, respected and highest-quality healthcare providers in the country, according to a recent consumer survey.

UAB Hospital received a 2005-2006 U.S. Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation (NRC). The rankings were based on a survey of healthcare consumers’ opinions of hospitals in the Birmingham metro area.

Nationwide, the NRC survey covered nearly 200,000 households representing 400,000 patients and their families, naming the top hospital in each of 180 metropolitan areas. The NRC says the survey is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive study of its kind. The recognition shows Alabamians agree with other prestigious peer rankings that rate UAB Hospital as one of the nation’s best.