Pictured and accepting the recognition for Minnie Hamil-
ton Health System are (left to right) Misty Arnold, RN,
Clinic Coordinator, Glenville Clinic; Kathy Nicholson,
LPN, Care Manager, Glenville Clinic; and Johnna Beane,
Health Strategies Coordinator for the American Heart
Association. Absent from photo are, Nina Rogers, RN,
Primary Care Nursing Director, Grantsville Clinic; and
Barbara Cooper, LPN, Care Manager, Grantsville Clinic
Charleston, WV - Recently, the American Heart Association recognized the state's first ever recipients of the "Target: BP" Awards. The Association was proud to see Minnie Hamilton Health System (MHHS) obtain a Participation Award for the life-saving work they are performing in the region.
With West Virginia leading the nation in hypertension, getting blood pressure under control is more important than ever. This year, thanks to a generous grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the American Heart Association was able to bring its "Target: BP" program to the Mountain State. This program, created in partnership with the American Medical Association, was launched in response to a growing body of evidence that shows high blood pressure is a contributing factor to many major health conditions like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other disease consequences.
"We are so fortunate to have the support of Minnie Hamilton Health System in our Target: BP program," said Johnna Beane, Health Strategies Coordinator for the American Heart Association. "Thanks to their dedication, we are already seeing an improvement in blood pressure rates in their region."
The award was presented during a special ceremony held at the West Virginia State Medical Association in Charleston. Guest speakers included Bob Pepper, AHA Great Rivers Affiliate Board Member/Past Chair, Charleston Metro Board and Sarah Hambley, WV Executive Director, American Heart Association. Attendees include primary care center staff from across the state as well as Kim Tieman, Program Director for Health & Human Services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
The awardees receiving recognition at the event included Hygeia Facilities Foundation, Inc.; Minnie Hamilton Health System, Valley Health Systems and the Williamson Health & Wellness Center.
"It's very encouraging to see how many clinics have already taken on this wonderful, evidence-based model to improve population health," said Kim Tieman. "The Benedum Foundation wants to have system change and policy change that we know works with all patients across the population if they have the opportunity to have Target: BP."
"Minnie Hamilton Health System is grateful to have participated in this program," said Stephen Whited, CEO of MHHS. "We look for ways to promote health and wellness in the communities we serve, and this program was a great opportunity to do that." Participants received individualized education from our nurse care managers on how to best self-manage their blood pressure at home. Additionally, MHHS participants received routine phone call checkups from our nurse care managers, and a free automatic blood pressure machine. CEO Whited further commended his clinics' staff, "I want to thank our clinic staff at both the Calhoun and Gilmer locations for their dedication to make a difference in the health and wellness of not only the program participants, but also their communities as a whole."
"Thanks to the generous financial support from the Benedum Foundation, Minnie Hamilton Health System will be able to continue improving the health and wellness of so many people in the region," added Beane. "Our primary care centers are a critical source of care for our state and we are so proud to see Minnie Hamilton Health System helping lead the way to a brighter, healthier future."
About Target: BP - Target: BPTM is a national collaboration between the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association to reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes by urging physician practices, health systems and patients to prioritize blood pressure control. Join the movement to motivate millions to lower blood pressure at TargetBP.org
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