Tuesday, November 10, 2009

TALLADEGA, AL --- This fall, Citizens Baptist Medical Center was one of two US hospitals presented the Certificate of Achievement for exemplary progress in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP). The award was given in Washington, DC at the HRSA ORHP Grantee Partnership Conference.

The conference allowed medical professionals from across the US to review the progress of all of the partnerships in the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Initiative and to prepare to initiate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) portion of the grant. The grant allows hospitals to address health issues in their communities by offering free educational programs and assessments to patients with particular diagnoses.

"Even though Citizens implemented the grant later than most hospitals, we made huge strides in providing this service to our community" said Pat Jolley, Citizens Baptist's program director for rural quality health. "I learned at the conference our program has caught up to -- and in some areas surpassed -- other grant participants. I feel honored to receive the recognition for our rapid program growth on behalf of Citizens," Jolley said.

Currently at Citizens Baptist, the CVD portion of the grant is being implemented along with the continuation of the diabetes program, which was implemented last year. Jolley will work with patients who have CVD risk factors such as a diagnosis of hypertension, elevated cholesterol including elevated LDL and CVD patients who are smokers.

"The ultimate goals of the cardiovascular program are to assist patients in learning and setting self-management goals to reduce their cholesterol, reduce their blood pressure and provide smoking cessation for patients who have heart disease," Jolley added.

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About Citizens Baptist Medical Center - Citizens Baptist is a 122-bed acute care facility in Talladega with more than 400 employees. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of clinical services, including obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology, emergency services, pain center and a Senior Care Unit, in addition to specialized medical and surgical care. Citizens BMC joined the health ministry of Baptist Health System in 1992 and serves North Talladega County. 

About Baptist Health System - Founded in 1922, Baptist Health System, Inc. is one of the largest health care systems in Alabama and one of the state's largest employers. The System is a not-for-profit, 501(c) corporation that owns and manages four hospitals in the state of Alabama. Baptist Health System is a ministry of the churches of the Birmingham Baptist Association, whose representatives elect the Board of Trustees. It was founded in 1922 by a group of local Baptist congregations.