NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Nov. 8, 2001--Standard&Poor's today assigned its single-'A' rating to the University of Maryland Medical System's (UMMS) $100 million revenue bonds, series 2001, issued by the Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority. The bonds are scheduled to sell on Nov. 13, 2001. The outlook is positive. The rating reflects UMMS' role as the premier health system of the state of Maryland (triple-'A' GO rating), its strong relationship through its physician faculty to the University of Maryland System's medical school (double-'A'-plus) and a dedicated management team backed by a strong board of directors appointed by the Governor of Maryland. Also reflected in the rating is UMMS' strong patient utilization, an excellent medical staff, and
