Joel Feinman, PhD
President of VMG 

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care awards grant to

Valley Medical Group P.C.

Grant will be used to improve care for patients with chronic conditions

  Wellesley , MA – Valley Medical Group, P.C. in Greenfield , MA is one of 16 provider groups in Massachusetts , Maine and New Hampshire that has received a Quality Award grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to improve clinical quality and patient safety.  Valley Medical Group, P.C. was awarded the grant to improve the management of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.  The project will develop and utilize clinical guidelines for use in testing, treatment and medication management.  Educational materials will also be developed to improve awareness and support patients undergoing treatment.

  “Valley Medical Group is very pleased to be selected as a recipient of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care’s 2008 Quality Grants Program.  We are excited to be given this opportunity to showcase our commitment and expertise in developing programs for improving patient care and clinical outcomes,” said Amy Rice RN, BSN Valley Medical Group’s Quality Improvement Manager. “We take great pride in providing the best care to our patients, based on nationally recognized guidelines and utilizing evidence based medicine. We are pleased that our efforts in pursuing these high standards of care are being recognized by Harvard Pilgrim.” 

 Harvard Pilgrim’s ninth annual Quality Grants Program will fund 16 physician group initiatives that focus on reducing disparities in patient care, managing chronic diseases and application of health information technology to improve patient care. The Harvard Pilgrim Quality Grants Program has distributed more than $11 million to more than 140 initiatives since its inception.  Physician leaders in Harvard Pilgrim’s network helped select the winning proposals from 30 submissions. Review criteria included demonstrated need, innovation in providing care, sustainability and the potential for transferring successful programs to other practice settings. The results of the grant programs are shared with other Harvard Pilgrim providers so their “best practices” can benefit a broader patient population.  This year’s Quality Grants Program expanded its scope to include proposals from specialty care as well as primary care physician groups.

 “This year’s grants will help physician practices explore innovative strategies and programs to improve the delivery of health care,” said Dr. Roberta Herman, Harvard Pilgrim’s Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President.  “The Quality Grants Program is a key component of how Harvard Pilgrim recognizes and rewards providers for doing the right thing.”

Press Release April 2007

We are proud to announce that the Laboratory at VMG was selected as first runner-up in a national Medical Laboratory of the Year Award competition. The VMG Lab was recognized as first runner-up in Medical Laboratory Observer's Medical Laboratory of the Year (2007) article in it's April 2007 edition. Medical Laboratory Observer is the national professional magazine/journal for Clinical Laboratory managers and providers of laboratory services, said Dr. Joel Feinman, President of Valley Medical Group.  The article not only describes our lab but also details the specifics (including the quality and service initiatives) that led to VMG getting the award.  This is National Laboratory Week. Congratulations to our Lab Manager, Deb Bolognani, the Lab staff, receptionists, and Directors for their outstanding work with our patients and staff and for this national recognition!  First, second and third place winners are selected by a three-judge pane for high testing quality and performance.  VMG has lab draw stations in each of its four health centers, and was selected in part for its patient-friendly customer service.   

To read the article on line go to www.mlo-online.com   April 2007 issue, pg. 35.