Rush Health Systems' Rural Health Clinics Earn National Recognition for Efforts Aimed at Reducing Heart Attacks and Strokes

Apr 10, 2018

North Hills Family Medical Clinic staff members served as the Pilot Clinic for the Target BP program and are shown accepting the award on behalf of all the Rush Rural Health Clinics. Pictured are: Front Row (L to R) Gayle Luke, RD; Tearrah Conerly, FNP; Cindy Luther FNP; Dr. Rick Nance; Buffy Willis; Mitzi Roberts; Tosha Boswell; Chad Lewis; Nancy McDonald; Sadie Houston; and Back Row (L to R) Susan Campbell; Sharon Turcotte; Rodney Henson; Sonya Carrier; Lance Brent and Stephanie Mason.

American Heart Association and American Medical Association announce inaugural list of physician practices and health systems receiving a Target: BP™ award for their commitment to prioritize blood pressure control within the communities they serve. 

Meridian, MS – The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) have announced the names of 310 physician practices and health systems nationwide being recognized for their commitment to reducing the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year. The Rural Health Clinics operated by Rush Health Systems are among this group of first-time recipients of the AHA and AMA’s Target: BP Recognition Program awards. Included are the following clinics:  North Hills Family Medical Clinic, which has been the Pilot Clinic for the group; Primary Care Associates; Clark Medical Clinic; Rush Medical Clinic Lake; Rush Medical Clinic DeKalb; Rush Medical Clinic Preston; Rush Medical Clinic Marion; Gilbertown Family Medical Clinic; Choctaw Urgent Care Clinic; Rush Medical Clinic Livingston; Immediate Care Family Clinic; Newton Family Medical Clinic; Rush Medical Clinic Primary Care; Decatur Medical Clinic; Family Medical Group of Union; Rush Medical Clinic Collinsville; Rush Medical Clinic Philadelphia; Central MS Family Health Clinic and The Medical Group of Quitman.

Launched in 2017, the Target: BP Recognition Program is an extension of Target: BP™—a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S. More than 1,100 physician practices and health systems nationwide— including  Rush’s rural health clinics have joined Target: BP™, sharing a common goal to reduce the number of adult patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and improve health outcomes associated with heart disease. 

Of the 103 million Americans with high blood pressure, only about half of them have it controlled to a healthy level despite the fact that high blood pressure can often be managed effectively when patients work with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan. No single risk factor has more impact on the nation’s death rates from cardiovascular disease than blood pressure.

“The physicians, nurse practitioners and the entire staff of our rural health clinics are very dedicated to improving community health.  As a certified rural health clinic, they have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their patients and improved the lives of thousands through their care programs targeted at lowering blood pressure, prevention of heart disease and battling diabetes.  This recognition is a great testament to the significance of the work they have done and to their ongoing desire to better educate and care for their patients. We appreciate their dedication and we applaud them for this recognition which is among a number of prestigious honors they have received,” said Larkin Kennedy, President, and CEO of Rush Health Systems.

To help physician practices and health systems achieve their goals, Target: BP™ provides all participants with a dedicated website featuring a free evidence-based improvement program that includes tools and resources to help clinicians improve blood pressure control rates. To facilitate the easy and seamless adoption of the Target: BP™ Improvement Program, registrants have access to trained support specialists within their community who can help identify specific program components to incorporate into clinical practice. 

“While high blood pressure is an easy condition to treat in that we have the tools to do so, there are many variables and barriers to success for many patients,” said AMA President David O. Barbe, M.D. “The AHA and AMA developed and piloted the Target: BP program to help bring patients and health care providers together to successfully get blood pressure under control, and help patients keep it controlled. We applaud the providers who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to prioritize blood pressure control and increase the national control of blood pressure. Together, we can save many more lives and improve health outcomes nationwide.”

“We’re excited to bring Target: BP to physicians as a tool to help reduce the devastating impact of high blood pressure in terms of heart disease and stroke, and we’re proud to recognize practices that are joining us to increase focus on blood pressure control,” said AHA President John Warner, M.D. 

Rush Health Systems’ Rural Health Clinics along with all other practices being recognized, was honored earlier this month during the AHA’s annual Scientific Sessions conference, and will also be featured in upcoming Target: BP materials. This includes appearing in print ads, on TargetBP.org, and the Target: BP Wall of Recognition that will be displayed at AMA and AHA events throughout the year.