Blue Care Network Best Practices Library
Blue Care Network is proud to celebrate provider practices that meet high standards for patient care. The practices in BCN Provider News are featured below by topic. The practices were selected because they meet one or more of the following criteria:
- These providers have exemplary outcomes in one or more of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set® measures or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid star ratings that are used to rate our network for quality and effectiveness of care.
- These providers have implemented innovative methods for patient care in specific HEDIS measures or CMS star ratings.
- These providers have significantly improved their patient care in areas measured by HEDIS or CMS.
- These providers received high ratings in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems® survey.
BCN commends its provider partners for doing their diligence in providing high-quality care to BCN members.

Adolescent immunizations
An interview with Dr. Bethany Hall
Bethany Hall, M.D., Brighton
January-February 2019

Ann Arbor practice uses electronic medical records and parent education to maintain high adolescent immunization rates
Allen Dumont, M.D., Ann Arbor
March–April 2012

Antidepressant medication management
An interview with Dr. Rhoda Beltran
Rhoda Beltran, M.D., Grand Rapids
March-April 2019

Managing medication compliance helps patients with depression
Shelley Drew, D.O., Walker
July–August 2017

Patient education and follow-up yields successful medication compliance for patients with depression
Babar Ahmad, M.D., Lansing
November–December 2011

Asthma medication compliance
Education and tracking ER use helps patients comply with asthma medications
Carmen Green-Lee, M.D., Ann Arbor
November–December 2013

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Follow-up appointments for ADHD focus on medication effectiveness, education and compliance
Salvatore Ventimiglia, M.D., Shelby Township
May-June 2018

Follow-up visits critical for patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Lynn Gessner, M.D., Brighton
July–August 2012

Brighton pediatrician shares treatment of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Mo El-Fouly, M.D., Brighton
September–October 2011

BMI
Partnering with patients helps them adopt healthier lifestyles
Christine Jones, D.O., Ann Arbor
July-August 2018

Documenting BMI facilitates conversations about lifestyle changes
Maria Heck, D.O., Milan
January-February 2017

Breast Cancer Screening
Team approach keeps breast cancer screening rates high
Linda Terrell, M.D., Ann Arbor
January–February 2018

Lansing practice uses electronic medical record alerts for breast cancer screening
Barbara Fretwell, M.D., Lansing
May–June 2016

Patient phone calls and staff involvement help keep mammogram rates high
George Bruins, M.D., Kentwood
March–April 2013

Cervical cancer screening
Flint physician makes cervical cancer screening a priority
Teresa Sherman, M.D., Flint
September-October 2018

Focus on preventive care helps Lake Orion practice maintain high cervical cancer screening rates
Jennifer Prohow, D.O., Lake Orion
January-February 2016

Childhood immunizations
Ann Arbor physician uses quality improvement projects to increase childhood immunization rates
Heather Burrows, M.D., Ann Arbor
November-December 2015

Making sure children are immunized is a priority at Wyoming practice
Tiffany Letts, M.D., Wyoming
January-February 2014

Canton physician increases immunization rates by counseling patients
Sarah Lacy, M.D., Canton
March–April 2013

Chlamydia screening
Chlamydia screening is a team effort
Shannon Kusiak, M.D., Arbor Park
May-June 2015

Milan Family Medicine makes chlamydia testing an office routine
Maria Heck, D.O., Milan
March–April 2012

Cholesterol Screening
Detroit physician says cholesterol screening benefits all patients
Barry Braver, D.O., Detroit
July-August 2014

Colorectal cancer screening
An interview with Dr. Robert Carlson
Robert Carlson, M.D., Hastings
July-August 2019

Making colorectal cancer screening a priority
Mark Oberdoerster, M.D., Canton
November-December 2016

Diabetes care
An interview with Thomas Selznick, D.O., Livonia Family Physicians
Thomas Selznick, Livonia
May-June 2019

Charlotte physician uses motivational interviewing to help diabetic patients manage their care
Todd Otten, M.D., Charlotte
July-August 2016

Electronic medical records help track diabetic eye exams
Steven Bargwell, D.O., Cedar Springs
July-August 2014

Patient follow-up and education are critical for diabetes care in Eastpointe practice
Douglas Hames, M.D., Eastpointe
May–June 2013

Fowlerville Medical Center focuses on diabetic patients
Cecilia Ebert, R.N., Fowlerville
May–June 2011

Flu immunizations
Ann Arbor physician discusses risks of not getting the flu vaccine
Jack Billi, M.D., Ann Arbor
November-December 2018

Solo practitioner makes flu immunizations a priority for his patients
Corey Haber, D.O., Auburn Hills
September–October 2012

Follow-up after hospitalization for mental illness
Family-centered focus and coordinated mental health care can help reduce hospital readmissions
Kristin Mecklenburg, MA, LLP, Director of Clinical Services
Forest View Hospital, Grand Rapids
November-December 2012

Glaucoma screening
Riverbend Healthcare tracks glaucoma screenings
Sharon Geimer, M.D., Sterling Heights
May–June 2012

High blood pressure
An interview with Dr. Tackabury
Daniel Tackabury, M.D., North Branch
March–April 2018

Fruitport family doctor explains treatment for high blood pressure
Diane Parrett, D.O., Fruitport
March–April 2016

Doctor in Fruitport provides education and support to patients with high blood pressure
Darrell Roelandt, D.O., Fruitport
March-April 2015

Ypsilanti doctor shares his treatment strategy for high blood pressure patients
R. David Brooks, D.O., Ypsilanti
July–August 2011

HPV vaccination
Lansing pediatric office emphasizes the importance of HPV vaccines
Pediatric Care of Lansing
March–April 2017

Imaging studies for low back pain
Appropriate use of imaging studies avoids aggressive treatment
Kenneth Bollin, M.D., St. Clair Shores
November–December 2011

Lead screening
Thorrez Medical Practice makes lead screening a priority
David Thorrez, M.D., Ypsilanti
March–April 2011

Medication reconciliation
How one doctor helps patients with medication reconciliation
Bruce Cicone, M.D., Ypsilanti
May–June 2017

Nephropathy
Monitoring for nephropathy is an important diabetes care measure
Barbara Gurden, M.D., Lainsburg
November-December 2017

Emphasizing prevention is key to treating osteoporosis
Karen Walker, M.D., Ypsilanti
September–October 2011

Persistent medications
Ann Arbor practice monitors persistent medications in the best interest of the patient
Karl J. Edelmann, M.D., Ann Arbor
September–October 2012

Pharyngitis
Patient education is key to reducing antibiotics for pharyngitis
Paul Turke, M.D., Ann Arbor
July-August 2015

Ann Arbor pediatrician makes strep testing part of practice's culture
Andrew Seiler, M.D., Ann Arbor
January–February 2013

Prenatal and postpartum care
Communication and patient relationships are integral to increasing postpartum visits
Martha Walsh, M.D., Brighton
May–June 2013

Smoking cessation
Macomb physician helps patients quit smoking using a patient-centered approach
John Habicht, M.D., Macomb Township
September–October 2013

Spirometry testing
Spirometry test helps patients improve lung function
James Kohlenberg, M.D., Madison Heights
September–October 2014

Jackson doctor uses spirometry testing to motivate smokers to quit
Gary Lynd, D.O., Jackson
July–August 2013

Waterford practice uses spirometry to diagnose COPD and asthma
Joel Leib, D.O., Waterford
May–June 2012

Upper respiratory infection
Lansing Pediatrics treats cold symptoms, educates parents to minimize antibiotic use
Laurie Hult, M.D., Lansing
January–February 2012

Well-child care
Edgewood Pediatrics' commitment to well-child care and immunizations is a team effort
Brian Gendelman, M.D., Commerce Township
March–April 2011
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