BUFFALO MEDICAL GROUP, PC
Public Relations Department
6255 Sheridan Drive, Suite 210
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 630-2500
NEWS RELEASE
January 4, 2013
Contact: Joseph R. Martone (716) 630-1193
E-mail: jmartone@buffalomedicalgroup.com
Buffalo Medical Group Primary Care Division Receives
National Recognition for Cardiovascular and Stroke Care
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Buffalo Medical Group Primary Care division physicians were recognized
by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Heart
Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) for providing quality care to their patients
with cardiovascular disease, or who have had a stroke.
The Heart/Stroke Recognition Program was designed to improve the quality of care that patients
with cardiovascular disease, or who have had a stroke, receive by recognizing clinicians who
deliver quality heart and stroke care, and by motivating other clinicians to document and
improve their delivery of cardiovascular and stroke care.
To receive recognition, which is valid for three years, 29 BMG primary care physicians submitted
data that demonstrates performance that meets the Program’s key cardiovascular and stroke
care measures. These measures include blood pressure and cholesterol control, among others.
When people with cardiovascular disease, or who have had a stroke, receive quality care as
outlined by these measures, they are less likely to suffer additional complications such as a
second heart attack or stroke.
“Quality patient care translates into saved lives,” said Sidney Smith, professor of Medicine,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and past president and past chief science officer of
the American Heart Association. “This is why the American Heart Association/American Stroke
Association is supporting a recognition program for clinicians providing quality care. This
program closes the gap by putting into practice AHA/ASA guidelines and statements to fight
heart disease and stroke.”
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 60
million Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular disease. Approximately 700,000
Americans suffer a stroke each year; stroke is the third-leading cause of death and a leading
cause of severe, long-term disability. Despite evidence that reducing cholesterol levels and
controlling high blood pressure prevent further health complications, many cardiac and stroke
patients are not treated effectively for these symptoms.
-more-
NCQA/AHA/ASA Recognition – Page 2
Buffalo Medical Group physicians recognized include:
Walter A. Balon, MD
Darren M. Caparaso, MD
Michael R. Cellino, MD
Richard E. Charles, MD
Kapil Chatrath, MD
Dominic A. Cimato, DO
Richard L. Collins, MD
Joseph F. Corigliano, DO, PT
Richard R. Curran, MD
Chandra M. Fisher, DO
Dawn A. Gais, MD
Andrew E. Halsdorfer, DO
Shuman Hua, MD
Gregory A. Jobes, MD
Mark Y. Kim, DO
Christian D. Lates, MD
Cynthia X. Liu-Chen, MD
Andre L. Lopez, MD
John C. Notaro, MD
Matthew O’Brien Jr., MD
David A. O’Keeffe, MD
Polina Purizhansky, MD
Michael F. Pusatier, DO
Ravi N. Sinha, MD
Irene S. Snow, MD
Nicole Leigh Symons, MD
Eric J. Waffner, MD
Daisy Wen, MD
Thomas G. White, MD
-30About the National Committee for Quality Assurance:
The NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA
accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and
practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information
Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in healthcare. NCQA is
committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care
providers and researchers.
About the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association:
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving
people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. The organizations team
with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fights for stronger public health policies,
and provides lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallasbased American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization
dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of
the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit
heart.org or call any of their offices around the country. Follow them on Facebook and
Twitter.
About Buffalo Medical Group:
Founded in 1946, Buffalo Medical Group, P.C., is among the oldest and largest multi-specialty
physician practice groups in New York State. With more than 100 primary care, specialty and
sub-specialty physicians – as well as a team of more than 600 nurses, technologists and other
health care professionals – BMG records more than 400,000 outpatient visits annually at its main
locations in Buffalo, Williamsville and Orchard Park as well as 19 satellite sites. For more
information on BMG, visit our website at www.buffalomedicalgroup.com.