Nine Elmhurst Clinic Physicians Receive National Recognition for Providing Quality Diabetes Care

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), more than 20 million people in the United States have diabetes and approximately 6 million people are unaware they have the disease. Each year, more than 1 million new cases are diagnosed in people age 20 and older.

“It is a major problem in this country and the rate of people being diagnosed with diabetes is on the rise,” said John Benages, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the Elmhurst Clinic. “The complications for diabetes can be severe, given that many diabetics are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, loss of vision and circulatory problems.”

With the proper treatment, diabetics can effectively manage the disease and potentially reduce their risk of developing complications associated with it. Recently, nine physicians from the Elmhurst Clinic received recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the ADA for providing quality care to patients with diabetes. The Diabetes Physician Recognition Program is designed to improve the quality of care that patients with diabetes receive by recognizing physicians who deliver quality care and by motivating other physicians to document and improve their delivery of diabetes care.

Elmhurst Clinic physicians John Benages, M.D., John Damergis, M.D., Joseph Kaliski, M.D., Martin Kittaka, M.D., Mary Ann Malloy, M.D., Michael Nosek, M.D., Maelen Pantano, M.D., Anita Pillai, M.D., and Thomas Pozen, M.D., have been awarded recognition in the program.

To receive this recognition (which is valid for three years beginning Feb.7, 2008), the nine Elmhurst Clinic physicians submitted data demonstrating performance that meets the program’s key diabetes care measures, which include eye exams, blood pressure tests, foot exams, and cholesterol control, among others. When people with diabetes receive quality care as outlined by these measures, they are less likely to suffer complications, such as heart attacks, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations.

“We are proud to have nine physicians on our staff who have been recognized for demonstrating a commitment to providing quality care to patients with diabetes,” Dr. Benages said. “These physicians are and dedicated to helping patients improve their health and reduce their risk of developing complications associated with diabetes.”

Electronic Health Record

• By partnering with NextGen, the Clinic physicians and staff now have an organized system to share and manage clinical and administrative patient health information.
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Registration Kiosk

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