Demonstrating their commitment to heart health in the Bronx and throughout New York state, Bronx-based Centers Health Care received major awards and a special medallion from the New York City chapter of the American Heart Association (AHA) on Feb. 20 at Bronx Center on Underhill Avenue.
The AHA presented Centers Health Care with the Ambulatory Recognition Awards which recognizes Centers’ program and commitment to the importance of blood pressure monitoring of their patients in their facilities. Called the “Target: BP Recognition Program,” this initiative celebrates physician practices and health systems who treat patients with hypertension and for achieving blood pressure control rates at or above 70% within the populations they serve.
Through last year’s Target BP recognition initiative, Centers facilities submitted data around hypertension, as well as some sites uploading data around Type 2 Diabetes. Twenty Centers Health Care facilities throughout New York state received either GOLD or GOLD-PLUS status by the AHA and within these 20, five of the seven Centers Health Care Bronx locations achieved GOLD or GOLD-PLUS status. These five included Bronx Center, Triboro Center on Teller Avenue, Beth Abraham Center on Allerton Avenue, University Center on Grand Avenue and Williamsbridge Center on Tomlinson Avenue. Altogether throughout the five boroughs, 10 Centers Health Care facilities received either GOLD or GOLD-PLUS status, with more on Long Island and in Rockland County.
“As part of the Centers Health Care leadership and as the administrator here at Bronx Center, receiving these awards and this medallion speaks so much of our care for our patients well-being and their heart health especially,” said Jeff Sicklick, LNHA. “I am so proud of our clinical team for always keeping on top of our residents to fully observe what they eat, making sure their foods aren’t fatty or loaded with salt, plus that they are getting as much as exercise as they can through our therapy here at Bronx Center and throughout our entire network. Heart health is incredibly important so I want to deeply thank the AHA for these awards and this beautiful 100th anniversary medallion.”
In addition to the Ambulatory Recognition Awards, the American Heart Association presented Centers Health Care with the Second Century Medallion as a gesture of support from the AHA in celebration of the AHA’s 100th birthday in 2024. This prestigious medallion shows deep appreciation by the American Heart Association to Centers Health Care in a special celebratory year for the AHA.
“Working side-by-side with the team at Centers Health Care, continues to be rewarding for us as we continue in our 100th year of educating New Yorkers and Americans on the life-saving importance of heart health,” said Robin Vitale, vice president of community impact for the New York City Chapter of the AHA. “Coming to Bronx Center, you can clearly see and realize this commitment to have these patients take care of their heart through eating the right foods and daily exercise.”
The northeast leader in post-acute care, Centers Health Care, has been working closely with the AHA in recent years with focusing on Bronx residents, as well as in communities throughout New York state, to educate and offer programs about the major importance of eating healthier and exercising. Centers Health Care facilities have been running fun exercise programs throughout the AHA February heart month, such as their jumping jacks two-minute challenges that has been gaining popularity throughout the Bronx and the rest of the state.
The Feb. 20 event also included Bronx Center resident Nuris Cevallos, who had been written about in a Feb. 16 Bronx Times story regarding her successful heart health journey.
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