One of our Models of Excellence winners, Healthline Networks, has scored a major distribution deal with U.S. News & World Report. Healthline’s health information is now part of the USNews.com site. When users search the USNews.com site for health information, Healthline's Healthfind service will search its database of more than one million medical terms. Search results will include those found within Healthline as well as U.S. News' own library of health-related information.

The initiative includes a number of features to simplify the search process for site visitors. For example, a HealthMaps feature makes it easier for users to conduct their searches--all they need to do is click on topics related to a disease of interest instead of typing keywords into a search box. Navigation links are designed to help expand or streamline searches.

By signing on with U.S. News & World Report, Healthline will undoubtedly get its information into the hands of consumers who have never utilized their services; and by aligning itself with such a powerful and well-known brand as U.S. News, Healthline will be able to further build out its own brand due to this increased exposure.

Both U.S. News and Healthline wanted to create a service that would provide consumers a reliable source of health information. When seeking partnerships for your organization, your due diligence must include confirmation that your soon-to-be partner has the same goals and objectives for an alliance that you do. It's just as important to find a partner that is as established in its market as you are in yours. Only then does your partnership have the potential to become a match made in heaven.