For the third consecutive year, Kansas University Hospital tops greater Kansas City hospitals when it comes to community financial contributions.

The Missouri Hospital Association’s community benefit report found the total community benefit from KU Hospital was more than $108 million in the 2007 fiscal year, up 27 percent from the year before.

The survey included areas such as charity care, patient bad debt, unpaid cost from Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, community donations and health professionals’ education.

St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Mo., was second with $65 million in contributions, followed by Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill, Kansas City, Mo., with $43 million.

“This survey covers many areas of the historic mission of an academic medical center. The University of Kansas Hospital has always taken our mission to the community and the state very seriously and will continue to do so in the future,” Bob Page, president and chief executive officer, said in a news release.

The community investment report is available on the Missouri Hospital Association’s Web site at focusonhospitals.com.