KVHC providers receive national recognition for care

    The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have announced that three providers from Katahdin Valley Health Center have received recognition from the Diabetes Recognition Program for providing quality care to their patients with diabetes.
    Lisa Nielsen, MD  Nicki Larrabee, FNP and David Pellin, PA-C have each received this recognition, which is valid for three years.
    “This acknowledgement is a testament to our providers and their commitment to their patients, community and KVHC’s vision to be the provider of choice within our communities, responsive to the healthcare environment while serving as the voice and vehicle for promoting healthcare access to all,” said Durward Humphrey, chief executive officer.
    Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy.
    An estimated 16 million Americans have diabetes; it is the sixth-leading cause of death by disease in the U.S., and has no cure.
    The Diabetes Recognition Program was designed to improve the quality of care that patients with diabetes receive by recognizing clinicians who deliver quality diabetes care.
    To receive three-year recognition, KVHC providers submitted data that demonstrates performance that meets the program’s key diabetes care measures.
    These measures include eye exams, blood pressure tests, nutrition therapy and patient satisfaction, 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.
    Katahdin Valley Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing quality, low-cost health care to the Katahdin region. KVHC has clinics located in Patten, Houlton, Island Falls, and Millinocket.