Baptist Health Madisonville Family Medicine Residency Earns National Distinction

Madisonville, KY (May 1, 2020)

Baptist Health Family Medicine Residency Patient Centered Medical Home has earned the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Distinction in Behavioral Health Integration. This has been a year-long process with many disciplines collaborating in the development of this program. 

 “This is a great asset for our patients and our Baptist Health Madisonville physicians,” stated Sheri Martin BSN, RN, PCMH Coordinator.  “For our patients, this removes a significant barrier to care, accessibility. For our physicians, it allows the opportunity to provide whole-person care throughout the spectrum of life,” added Martin.  

“Many times behavioral health conditions are first identified by a primary care provider,” said Margaret E. O’Kane, NCQA President. “So adding behavioral health care services in a primary care setting is a real opportunity for patients. It knocks down barriers to behavioral care and improves overall health.”

PCMH Distinction in Behavioral Health Integration helps practices provide comprehensive whole-person care that acknowledges the behavioral health needs of the individual beyond the core requirements of NCQA PCMH Recognition. These practices have proven that they have the appropriate care team in place to manage the broad needs of patients with conditions related to behavioral health.

Services offered include:

• Immediate access to a behavioral health clinician for brief intervention at a regular physician visit if needed
• Behavioral health services on-site
• Ongoing evaluation and monitoring of depression, anxiety and postpartum depression
• Relationships with additional mental health and substance abuse providers in the event a referral is needed

“This will be great training for our residents within an integrated model,” stated Dr. Diana Nims, Family Medicine Residency Program Director.  “Our residents will have access to Behavioral Health faculty for guidance and be much more confident and equipped when they begin their own practices addressing psychosocial issues with their patients,” added Nims.

There are only 173 NCQA Distinction in Behavioral Health Integration programs in the nation and Baptist Health Madisonville’s Family Medicine Residency is one of only seven in Kentucky. 

“Our program is committed to providing high quality care for our patients, taking care of the whole patient,” said Dr. Nims.