ECU Physicians receives second national diabetes care recognition
Twenty-three ECU clinicians have received national recognition for their exceptional care of patients with diabetes. Thirteen of the twenty-three are receiving this designation for the second time.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a private nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of health care, has awarded ECU Physicians their Diabetes Recognition Program distinction for providing care that meets six predetermined clinical performance measures.
ECU Physicians clinicians have received national recognition for their exceptional care of patients with diabetes.
(Photos by Cliff Hollis)
“ECU Physicians doctors strive to practice evidence-based, patient-centered, quality care,” said family physician and recognition recipient Dr. Justin Edwards.
“This means that the people of eastern NC can feel proud that the place they receive health care is striving to meet quality standards and excel at diabetes care.”
The ECU providers recognized were internists Hunter Coore, Muna Mian, Basem Mishriky and James Powell; family medicine physicians Janice Daugherty, Justin Edwards, Tommy Ellis, Jonathon Firnhaber, Jason Foltz, Celeste Jackson, Susan Keen, Gary Levine, Shivajirao Patil, Kelly Philpot, Susan Schmidt and Audy Whitman; physician assistant Mark Harrell and nurse practitioner Tiffany Langston in family medicine; internists/pediatricians Lacy Hobgood and Mary Catherine Turner; internist/psychiatrist Michael Lang; and endocrinologists Fiona Cook and Caroline Houston.
NCQA determines the top performing medical providers by studying the efficiency of health plans and how well providers deliver scientifically recommended care. Dr. Jason Foltz, medical director for ECU Physicians, said the designation recognizes that ECU Physicians has developed effective teams focused on comprehensive diabetes care.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance has awarded ECU Physicians their Diabetes Recognition Program distinction for providing care that meets six predetermined clinical performance measures.
“We place a team of professionals including health coaches, registered dieticians, clinical pharmacists, social workers and clinicians who work collaboratively to achieve excellent outcomes for our patients,” he said. “We actively track our diabetic patients to proactively reach out to them to ensure they are getting the care they need.
“Diabetes is a complex problem that affects many aspects of a person’s health,” Foltz added. “The treatment regimen involves the expertise of many members of our care team partnering with each patient. Each person has different needs and circumstances that require an individualized care plan.”
The NCQA measures and accredits health plans through an exhaustive assessment that includes framework, operations, clinical quality and patient satisfaction. More than 173 million people are enrolled in NCQA-accredited health plans.
“This recognition is affirmation that the high standards I try to hold myself to in the care of my patients is important to credentialing bodies like the NCQA,” Edwards said. “I think it says the same about ECU Physicians.”
-by Janiya Winchester, University Communications