Longwood, Fla…Michael Bougoulias, M.D., Christopher Caggiano, D.O., Julie Ferguson, M.D. and Joan Wilson, M.D. are among the Physician Associates doctors who recently earned recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for delivery of quality cardiovascular and/or stroke care. The Heart/Stroke Recognition Program (HSRP), created by the NCQA and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, awards recognition to physicians who demonstrate their skills in providing high quality care to patients with cardiac conditions or who have had a stroke. Four of the five physicians recognized in the State of Florida are doctors with Physician Associates. The program was designed to recognize physicians delivering quality cardiovascular and stroke treatment and also improve the quality of care that patients with cardiovascular disease or who have had a stroke receive.
This designation provides a benchmark for the treatment and assessment of cardiovascular and stroke related illnesses. Five physicians in the State of Florida have received the HSRP recognition which was originally launched in 2003. Currently 424 physicians are recognized with the HSRP distinction in the United States. This voluntary program ensures patients that they are receiving the highest-level heart/stroke care from physicians providing quality treatment.
“About 700,000 people will have a stroke this year,” stated Dr. Michael Bougoulias, a family medicine physician with Physician Associates. “Being one of the top causes of death, I find it extremely important to develop a proactive strategy with my patients health, especially those at high risk. It’s an honor to receive recognition for providing my patients with the tools necessary to lead a healthy, happy lifestyle.”
To receive recognition, which is valid for three years, data was submitted demonstrating performance that meets the program's key cardiovascular and stroke care measures. Physicians are required to complete an application packet, identify a patient sample of 35 patients, monitor and enter appropriate data in a worksheet that evaluates the physician’s performance based on measures that include: blood pressure and cholesterol control, complete lipid profile, use of aspirin or another antithrombotic, among others.
More than 60 million Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for approximately 950,000 deaths each year. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability in the United States and in Florida. About 10,000 people in the State of Florida died from stroke in 2002. That’s roughly 6 percent of deaths in the state. Despite evidence that reducing cholesterol levels and controlling high blood pressure prevent further health complications, many cardiac and stroke patients are not treated effectively for these symptoms.
“We’re pleased to have these physicians in this elite program,” stated Physician Associates Chief Operating Officer Dennis Buhring. “This truly adds to our mission in providing high-quality health care to our patients. Programs such as this one aid our group in developing practice protocols to improve care and ultimately improve the life and well being of patients. We’re pleased to be a part of helping to close the gap in fighting heart disease and stroke.”
Dr. Bougoulias and Dr. Caggiano are family medicine physicians who see patients at Physician Associates’ Lake Mary office located at 3300 W. Lake Mary Boulevard. Dr. Julie Ferguson and Dr. Joan Wilson are family medicine physicians who see patients at Physician Associates’ University office located at 3400 Quadrangle Boulevard. In addition to the four Physician Associates doctors, Charles P. Riley, M.D., of Medical Park Cardiology in Pensacola also received the HSRP recognition in Florida. Physician Associates has 13 other physicians whose applications are in the process of being reviewed by the NCQA for the same HSRP distinction. More information on the HSRP program can be found at www.ncqa.org/hsrp.
Ranked by the Orlando Business Journal as the largest health services group in Central Florida, Physician Associates has over 65 physicians in 12 locations across Metro Orlando. Physician Associates specializes in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Podiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Since 1998, the Physician Associates business model has provided its physicians with operational, billing, contracting and accounting support, which are necessary in today’s managed care environment. The physicians can then focus on what they do best – provide healthcare. The organization has over 300,000 patients in Central Florida. |
