Twelve area medical practices were recognized at a ceremony hosted by the Pennsylvania Regional Extension & Assistance Center for HIT (PA REACH) for their leadership in the nationwide transition to electronic health records (EHRs). These practices included:
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Allergy & Asthma Associates
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Dr. Natale Falanga, MD
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Family Practice Center
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Fogelsville Family Medicine
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Haley Family Practice
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Monroe Family Practice
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Pediatrics of Northeast PA
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Pocono Adult & Pediatric Medical Group
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Pocono Internal Medicine Specialists Ltd
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PrimeMed
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Renal Consultants of Wyoming Valley
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The Wright Center
The event was held on Monday, October 17, 2011 at Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg, PA.
Officials from the the Centers from Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) joined PA REACH East in congratulating and honoring these physicians for their vision and dedication to improving patient care through the use of health information technology. Collectively, these twelve practices serve 221,781 patients.
Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, serving the 121st District, was also in attendance to congratulate these providers on their efforts to improve health care through the use of EHRs. Rep. Pashinski understands that EHRs are the future of health care, and is thrilled that providers in northeastern PA are ahead of the curve with this technology. “It’s exciting to see that this change (to EHRs) has begun. This is history in the making,” said Rep. Pashinski.
PA REACH East is the Regional Extension Center designated by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to assist clinicians in eastern Pennsylvania on becoming meaningful users of EHRs. PA REACH East is proud to welcome the providers from all twelve practices into an exclusive group of leaders - the Meaningful Use Vanguard (MUV).
MUV is an initiative of ONC, and is designed to honor, thank, and bring together clinicians like the twelve practices honored at the PA REACH East Meaningful Use Ceremony who have successfully made the transition to EHRs. MUVers (members of the MUV program) serve as local leaders and advisors in the nation’s transition toward an electronically-enabled health care system.
“On behalf of PA REACH East, I congratulate all of these providers on this important distinction. Their experience is invaluable in helping clinicians take the necessary steps to transform from paper-based practices to electronically-enabled systems. We commend them for being at the forefront of EHR implementation, and hope their example will encourage other clinicians to follow in their footsteps,” said Anita Somplasky, PA REACH Executive Director.
Dr. Natale Falanga, a solo practitioner in East Stroudsburg, participated in the ceremony as not only an honoree, but also shared his practice’s experience with their EHR system. Dr. Falanga is first to admit that he is not exactly tech-savvy, and the prospect of integrating computers into the clinical aspect of his practice seemed daunting. After attending a meeting held by PA REACH East in the Fall of 2010, Dr. Falanga realized that transitioning to an EHR system was something he needed to do, especially while there was federally subsidized assistance available through the PA REACH East program.
“Matt Armstrong (from PA REACH East) was a godsend,” said Dr. Falanga. “We weren’t just wet behind the ears (about HIT), we were wet all over.”
Dr. Falanga’s practice is now up and running with its EHR system since August 17th, and is on track to attest to Meaningful Use before the end of 2011. Dr. Falanga is thrilled with the e-prescribing function of his system. The EHR also provides him with a more complete picture of his patient’s medical history right at his fingertips, therefore allowing him to provide better care. “We are so pleased with our EHR,” said Dr. Falanga. “It just goes to show that you really can teach an old dog new tricks.”
MUVer Ceremony Photos
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Joseph B. Fisne, Pocono Medical Center Vice President & COO
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Dr. Natale Falanga, Meaningful Use Vanguard Provider (featured provider speaker)
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Matt Armstrong, PA REACH East Project Coordinator
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Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, 121st District
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Honored MUVer - Dr. Natale Falanga
Dr. Natale Falanga, Lorraine Falanga, and Matt Armstrong (PA REACH)
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Honored MUVer - Pocono Internal Medicine Specialists, Ltd
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Honored MUVer - The Wright Center
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Honored MUVer - Family Practice Center
Selina Spade (center) Operations Manager for FPC, with PAFP's Deb Hammaker (left) and Tracy Koval (right)
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