The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have recognized Mercy Medical Group for its commitment to reducing the number of patients who have heart attacks and strokes each year. Mercy Medical Group is among a group of first-time recipients to receive AHA and AMA’s "Target: BP Recognition Program" award.
Launched in 2017, the Target: BP Recognition Program is an extension of a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S.
Of the 103 million Americans with high blood pressure, only about half of them have it controlled to a healthy level despite the fact that high blood pressure can often be managed effectively when patients work with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan. No single risk factor has more impact on the nation’s death rates from cardiovascular disease than blood pressure.
“While high blood pressure is an easy condition to treat, in that we have the tools to do so, there are many variables and barriers to success for many patients,” said AMA President David O. Barbe, M.D. “We applaud the providers who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to prioritize blood pressure control and increase the national control of blood pressure. Together, we can save many more lives and improve health outcomes nationwide.”
"Mercy Medical Group joined the Target: BP initiative to commit to lowering high blood pressure in our patients in the greater Sacramento community," said Dr. Antonio "Ben" Balatbat, Mercy Medical Group Department Chair of Internal Medicine and Board Member. "Our physicians are fully aligned with the campaign's call for action and the urgency of addressing high blood pressure."
If you have hypertension and aren't on a treatment plan, don’t take your chances. Make an appointment today: MyMercyMedicalGroup.org.
Mercy Medical Group was honored during the AHA’s annual Scientific Sessions Conference, and received a commemorative plaque to celebrate the honor.
Pictured from left to right: Sang-Mi Oh, Vice President, Community Impact, Diversity and Inclusion, American Heart Association, Gurvinder Shaheed, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Mercy Medical Group Board President, Sigrid Owyang, Vice President, Operations for Dignity Health Medical Foundation, and Antonio "Ben" Balatbat, MD, Internal Medicine, Mercy Medical Group Department Chair of Internal Medicine and Board Member.
