Image caption: ThedaCare physician clinics have been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) for two national achievements aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease with efforts to get patient blood pressure rates under control and to improve cholesterol management.
December 5, 2019
THEDACARE PHYSICIAN CLINICS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITIONS FROM AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Awarded Target: BP Gold Achievement Level and Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™
APPLETON, Wis. – ThedaCare physician clinics have been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) for two national achievements aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease with efforts to get patient blood pressure rates under control and to improve cholesterol management.
ThedaCare has been awarded Target: BP Gold Status, one of just 542 physician practices and health systems in the country to be recognized for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70 percent or more in their adult patient population with high blood pressure. ThedaCare has also received the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ Participant award in recognition of the commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke through cholesterol management.
“The national recognitions from the American Heart Association and American Medical Association demonstrate the commitment we have to our patients and families,” said Mark Cockley, MD, Chief Clinical Officer and President of the ThedaCare Clinically Integrated Network. “We’re proud of the team members who helped us achieve the quality standards. There is a lot that can be done with patients up front, after and in between visits, such as offering follow-up checks, adjusting medication and making lifestyle changes. Our team members provide timely heart health information to our patients.”
Launched in 2015, Target: BP is a national initiative aimed at improving blood pressure control rates. To help people better understand their risk and learn to manage their cholesterol, AHA launched its Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol. initiative in 2017. Since then, more than 900 health centers and systems have registered to participate.
“High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke, estimated to cause nearly 2.6 million deaths annually,” said Dr. Cockley. “Yet, a survey from the American Heart Association shows that nearly two-thirds of people who have high cholesterol don’t think they’re at high risk for a heart attack or stroke.”
To help practices achieve their goals, AHA provides all participants with a dedicated website featuring a free program that includes tools and resources to help clinicians improve cholesterol control rates.
There are 116 million U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, the nation’s number one risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and less than half have it controlled to target level. Many patients are unaware of the deadly consequences associated with high blood pressure and that it can be managed working in partnership with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan.
“Collaboration is key to managing high blood pressure,” said Robert Harrington, MD, FAHA, President of the American Heart Association. “When doctors, clinics, patients and organizations like the American Heart Association and American Medical Association are all working towards the same goal, we have the opportunity for great success. We are pleased to be a part of the success of ThedaCare in reducing high blood pressure and improving health.”
In 2018, The American Heart Association and ThedaCare announced the partnership to create the first Life is Why sponsor in Wisconsin. Life is Why is a national brand element which emphasizes an emotional connection to the work of the AHA. The campaign encourages people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to consider what or who they are living for and turn that into their personal motivation for making lifestyle changes that add up to healthier, happier and longer lives with the ones they love.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to a community of more than 600,000 residents in 14 counties and employs more than 7,000 healthcare professionals. ThedaCare has 180 locations including seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, New London, Shawano, Waupaca and Wild Rose. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.
For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
Media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public Relations Specialist at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
