HOUSTON and DALLAS, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- First Choice Emergency Room has been recognized as one of the Top 100 fastest growing, privately held companies in the Dallas area by the SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship. The awards ceremony, which took place at the Meyerson Symphony Center on November 4, 2009, marks the 4th consecutive award for the freestanding emergency room centers-further solidifying First Choice's place in the Dallas business community.

"In some ways the Dallas 100 winning companies seem to defy gravity. In a 10% unemployment national environment, they created more than 11,000 new jobs over the last two years," said Jerry White, director of the Caruth Institute. "These companies prove that with innovative ideas and top quality management dynamic, fast growth businesses can be built even in challenging environments."

The founders of First Choice Emergency Room understand what most ER patients want: quick, efficient and professional service. By turning that idea into a mantra - "It's about time" - they're creating an alternative to the traditional emergency room experience by taking the ER out of the hospital and placing it within the community. What began in 2002 in Flower Mound has grown into freestanding emergency centers at locations in 10 different communities in Houston and the Dallas Metroplex. The combination of the current recession and focus on national healthcare debate hasn't slowed down First Choice Emergency Room.

"Through the years we've been blessed with a great staff and some terrific opportunities," said Rick Covert, COO of First Choice Emergency Room. "This type of recognition validates our efforts, especially as we look to build upon our success and continue providing excellent levels of care to the communities we serve."

First Choice Emergency Room finished 28th in this year's 19th annual Dallas 100 awards, following previous awards in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

About First Choice Emergency Room

First Choice ER facilities are freestanding, fully equipped emergency rooms. All physicians are board certified in emergency medicine, and all FCE nurses are emergency trained. It offers an innovative concept in the delivery of emergency medical services for adult and pediatric emergencies, both major and minor. With seven locations in the Houston area, three in Dallas/Ft Worth area and another planned to open in Georgetown in early 2010, patients receive high-quality treatment with minimal wait times.