Valparaiso, IN – HealthLinc reached the Target BP: Gold achievement level as determined by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA).  The Gold achievement level was awarded for HealthLinc’s exceptional blood pressure control rate of >70% throughout the patient population. The AHA and AMA partnered to launch Target: BP in 2015 to improve blood pressure control and build a healthier nation by reducing the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes by urging medical practices, health service organizations, and patients to prioritize blood pressure control. This is the second time HealthLinc has reached Gold achievement level for the Target: BP project. They were recognized in 2017 as well.

“It is always an honor to be recognized for reaching goals directly attributed to patient health improvement,” states Beth Wrobel, HealthLinc CEO.  “Maintaining this level of quality during the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to our staff and their commitment to our patients and making communities healthy.”

The control rate was achieved by breaking down the 3 recognized barriers to success as outlined by the American Heart Association that may contribute to uncontrolled blood pressure including systems, provider, and patient factors.

“As a part of our on-going quality control program, we utilize an integrated approach to health care including medical providers, clinical pharmacists and behavioral health counselors to address uncontrolled blood pressure,” said Dr. Ruth Stevens, HealthLinc Chief Quality Officer. “Working together, patients receive medication management assistance and self-management goals to support life-style changes necessary to achieve and maintain blood pressure control.”

As a result of this accomplishment, HealthLinc will receive an announcement in trade publications and acknowledgement in an AMA Journal; premier recognition on the Target: BP website; along with a Gold listing on a Target: BP recognition display at conferences across the United States, including AHA and/or AMA meetings.

For more information about HealthLinc and Target:  BP, contact Jodie Wexelberg at (219)218-2860 or jwexelberg@healthlincchc.org.

About HealthLinc

HealthLinc, Inc. (healthlincchc.org) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary medical, dental, optometry, and behavioral health services to people of all ages regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In 1996, HealthLinc began as Hilltop Neighborhood House, a neighborhood clinic and childcare center in Valparaiso, IN. Since then, HealthLinc has expanded to eleven clinics, two telehealth clinics, and one mobile medical/dental clinic. HealthLinc accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), most commercial insurance plans, and provides care for uninsured patients. Services will be provided on a sliding fee scale based on household size and income, regardless of a patient’s insurance status.

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HealthLinc Corporate Headquarters are located at 2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso, IN.  HealthLinc clinics span Northern Indiana and are in East Chicago, Knox, La Porte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, South Bend and Valparaiso.