FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 3, 2023
Family Care Health Centers nationally recognized for its commitment to improve cardiovascular health
The American Heart Association presents outpatient program achievement awards for proven dedication to ensuring patients have access to best practices that reduce risk of heart disease and stroke
ST. LOUIS, MO – Family Care Health Centers has received two American Heart Association outpatient program achievement awards in recognition for its commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke by improving high cholesterol and blood pressure management. The awards recognize a commitment to following the latest evidence- and science-based care guidelines.
Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. High cholesterol and uncontrolled high blood pressure are leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but with timely diagnosis, research-based treatment, and education, these conditions can be managed.
“We are proud to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our focus on cholesterol and high blood pressure management and care,” Aramide Ayorinde, PhD, CEO of Family Care Health Centers. “By participating in these programs, we are able to put the science of the latest clinical guidelines to work improving the lives of our patients.”
The outpatient achievement award programs put the unparalleled expertise of the American Heart Association to work for healthcare systems nationwide, helping ensure the care provided to patients is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in the Target: BP and Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol. programs, Family Care Health Centers was recognized after demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving risk factor management for patients.
This year, Family Care Health Centers received these achievement awards:
- The American Heart Association’s Change. Control. Cholesterol™ Gold
- Target: BP™ Silver recognition jointly presented by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association.
“Addressing cholesterol and blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health – and critical today, when heart disease and stroke continue to be leading causes of death for Americans,” said Howard Haft, M.D., MMM, CPE, FACPE, American Heart Association volunteer; consultant, senior medical advisor and adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine; and former executive director of the Maryland Primary Care Program with the Maryland Department of Health. “The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize Family Care Health Centers for its commitment to managing patient risk factors related to high blood pressure and high cholesterol.”
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About Family Care Health Centers
Family Care Health Centers (FCHC) is a non-profit community health center dedicated to providing affordable and accessible comprehensive primary health care services to the residents of St. Louis and the surrounding communities. For over 50 years, FCHC has been committed to offering a full range of services, equalizing the accessibility of quality healthcare to our hometown community members. FCHC can be found online at www.fchcstl.org, Facebook at facebook.com/FCHCstl, and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/family-care-health-centers.
About Target: BPTM
Target: BP™ is a national collaboration between the American Heart Association and American Medical Association to reduce the number of Americans who suffer from heart attacks and strokes each year by urging physician practices, health systems and patients to prioritize hypertension control. The initiative aims to help health care organizations improve blood pressure control rates using evidence-based protocols, tools and resources and recognizes organizations that treat patients with hypertension for achieving blood pressure control rates within the populations they serve.
About Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™
The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building longer, healthier lives, created the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ initiative with national support from Amgen to improve awareness, detection and management of high cholesterol for consumers, patients and health care professionals.
