Hospital workers at McLeod Regional Medical Center held a big celebration on their campus Tuesday.

Florence area high school cheerleaders, step teams, and band members took part in a pep rally for employees.

In July, the hospital became the first in South Carolina to win the American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality prize.

To win, the hospital was judged number one in the nation on the institute of medicine's six quality aims for health care.

"We're one of the safest hospitals in America. That is, actually looking at the outcomes of the patients. We're in the top five percent of safe hospitals in America. Our mortality rate is better than most hospitals. So the death rate, as we look at individual diagnosis, our physicians lead," said Donna Isgett, Senior Vice President at McLeod Health.

More than 4800 doctors, nurses, and other employees are taking part in celebrations all week.