Posts Tagged ‘MHS’

An Evansville pediatrics physician has received a national award for providing quality care and clinical excellence to Hoosier children and adults enrolled in Managed Health Services’ statewide health plan.

Dr. W. Michael Crecelius has received a 2010 Summit Award for Excellence in Care from MHS and parent company Centene Corp. The award honors Crecelius, a board-certified pediatrician with Deaconess Clinic in downtown Evansville, for demonstrating exemplary performance when following up with examinations and consultations after patients’ emergency room visits, providing routine preventive and well-care services for children and adults and establishing a medical home for new enrollees in the MHS statewide healthcare plan.

Crecelius graduated Indiana University’s School of Medicine and completed his pediatric internship and residency at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. He is a fellow with the American Academy of Pediatrics and  member of both the Indiana State Medical Association and the Vanderburgh County Medical Society.

Crecelius is one of three Indiana physicians to receive the award. Sixteen awards were presented this year throughout the nation by Centene Corp.

Indianapolis pediatrics physician Dr. Sharon Gilliland has received a national 2010 Summit Award for Excellence in Care from Managed Health Services and parent company Centene Corp. for providing quality care and clinical excellence to Hoosier children and adults enrolled in MHS’s statewide health plan. Only 16 awards are given throughout the nation each year.

The award honors Gilliland, a board-certified pediatrician who runs Rainbow Pediatrics in Indianapolis, for demonstrating exemplary performance when following up with examinations and consultations after patients’ emergency room visits, providing routine preventive and well-care services for children and adults and establishing a medical home for new enrollees in the MHS healthcare plan.

“MHS is proud to recognize Dr. Gilliland for the outstanding service and quality of care she provides to Managed Health Services members in the greater Indianapolis community,” said Dr. Robert Baker, vice president of medical affairs at MHS. “Our primary focus is on delivering the best possible care to our members and we could not do that without strong relationships with our plan’s physicians. The Summit Award for Excellence is one way we thank Dr. Gilliland for her ongoing dedication to helping children live healthy lives.”

Gilliland opened Rainbow Pediatrics in 1996 and also maintains a solo practice supported by call partners. After earning an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, she graduated Indiana University’s School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. From 1989 to 1996, Gilliland provided community pediatric care at HealthNet in Indianapolis before opening Rainbow Pediatrics. Rainbow Pediatrics is located at 5711 N. Michigan Road in Indianapolis. The center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 1-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.

Indiana Black Expo’s 40th annual Family Reunion is this weekend, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Washington Park, located at 3030 E. 30th St. in Indianapolis.

The two-day event will offer activities for families, children and the entire community. Live entertainment, food booths and children’s activities, including bounce houses, face painting, sumo wrestling and obstacle courses, are sure to draw big crowds as will an Old School Car and Motorcycle Show and the annual five-on-five Dust Bowl basketball tournament.

KidsBMV, an identification program for children that generates a photo ID and includes a child’s address, date of birth, phone number, eye and hair color and height and weight and details about any medical conditions a child might have for parents, teachers and caregivers, will also be at Family Reunion on Saturday.

Managed Health Services is the title sponsor of Family Reunion and will staff a health fair booth from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, offering free blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose screenings, one-on-one personal health counseling and advice and health-related literature and giveaways.

A South Bend physician has received a national award for providing quality care and clinical excellence to Hoosier children and adults enrolled in Managed Health Services’ statewide health plan.

Dr. Binod Balakrishnan has received the 2010 Summit Award for Excellence in Care from MHS and parent company Centene Corp. The award honors Balakrishnan, a primary care physician in the MHS healthcare plan who specializes in pediatric medicine at the Navarre Pediatric Group, located at 100 Navarre Place, Suite 4440 in South Bend, for demonstrating exemplary performance when following up with examinations and consultations after patients’ emergency room visits, providing routine preventive and well-care services for children and adults and establishing a medical home for new enrollees in the MHS healthcare plan.

“MHS is proud to recognize Dr. Balakrishnan for the outstanding service and quality of care he provides to Managed Health Services members in the South Bend community,” said Dr. Robert Baker, vice president of medical affairs at MHS. “Our primary focus is on delivering the best possible care to our members and we could not do that without strong relationships with our plan’s physicians. The Summit Award is one way we can thank Dr. Balakrishnan for his ongoing dedication to helping people live healthy lives.”

Balakrishnan received his medical degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India. He completed his pediatric residencies at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and at Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, N.Y. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and his interests include acute care, infectious diseases and asthma.

As part of a year-long celebration recognizing 15 years of meeting the healthcare needs of Indiana Hoosier Healthwise program participants, Managed Health Services is embarking on a new, statewide initiative that encourages Hoosiers to follow 15 basic healthy-living tips to improve their personal health.

The “15 Ways to Live a Healthy Life” initiative focuses on these 15 basic healthy-living recommendations:

1. Get regular physical and dental check ups.
2. Make sure immunizations are current for yourself and your entire family.
3. Eat well-balanced meals with whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
4. Get plenty of exercise, at least 30 minutes a day five days a week.
5. Get an annual flu shot.
6. Drink plenty of water.
7. Wear a seat belt when driving and as a passenger in a car.
8. Use sunscreen when out in the sun.
9. Manage stress and take time to laugh.
10. Create a home safety and exit plan in the event disaster strikes.
11. Learn CPR and First Aid.
12. Secure guns and bullets in a locked, safe place to keep them away from minors.
13. Wear a bicycle helmet when riding no matter what age you are.
14. Get fresh air daily, even in the cold winter months.
15. Limit fat, sugar and extra calories in your diet.

“This new campaign carries a very critical message, which is by following these 15 basic health-related recommendations, one can immediately improve their state of health and encourage their families and friends to do the same,” said MHS President and CEO Patrick Rooney. “These live-healthy tips are relevant in the lives of men, women and children of all ages throughout our state. By utilizing our staff, network of physicians, community partners and members themselves, MHS looks forward to sharing these important tips and helping Hoosiers live healthier lives during our 15-year celebration and beyond.”

The “15 Ways to Live a Healthy Life” recommendations will be communicated to MHS members and the community at-large through community events, on the MHS Web site, and by billboards encouraging healthy lifestyle activities such as playing soccer and baseball.

MHS is headquartered in Indianapolis in the Landmark Center at 1099 N. Meridian St. MHS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of St. Louis-based Centene Corp., a leading, multi-line healthcare enterprise that offers both core Medicaid and specialty services.

Vaccines save lives. They protect both vaccinated individuals and entire communities by preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

National Infant Immunization Week is April 24-May 1.This year’s theme is, “Love them. Protect them. Immunize them.” The awareness campaign highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.

Managed Health Services, which provides affordable healthcare to more than 211,400 Hoosiers who receive health insurance through the Hoosier Healthwise program, is stressing the importance of infant and child immunizations this last week of April by encouraging members to schedule well-baby and well-child visits for their children and ensure their immunizations are current.

Parents, healthcare providers and the media, says Dr. Robert Baker of MHS, are important partners for promoting National Infant Immunization Week. These groups are all key stakeholders in ensuring children are fully immunized by two years old. The resounding message to parents on the MHS healthcare plan is to set aside 15 minutes now, schedule pediatrician and physician appointments and have their children immunized, he says.

Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease in the U.S., parents are often unaware that their children are at risk for so many serious and life-threatening diseases, Baker says. Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Nearly 12,000 babies are born here each day and they will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before they reach age 2.

Raising awareness about the importance of infant and childhood immunizations is another step MHS is taking to get its members throughout the state to focus on living healthy lives. With a focus on infants and children, MHS hosts quarterly Health Check Health Days throughout Indiana, geared toward providing members the opportunity to complete recommended well-baby and well-child examinations. MHS reminds parents to keep their children’s immunizations up to date through birthday-card reminders and outreach calls. MHS is also in the midst of conducting Healthy Lifestyles events in several Indiana communities which offer important blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings free of charge to its members.

Dr. Robert Baker

Awareness that heart disease is the leading killer among women is higher than it has ever been. Still, 80 percent of women between ages 40 and 60 have one or more risk factors that they have the power to modify, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and inactivity.

Dr. Robert Baker, vice president of medical affairs at Managed Health Services in Indianapolis recommends Hoosier women follow these five tips to build heart-healthy homes for themselves and their loved ones:

Stop smoking and don’t start. Tobacco smoke increases the likelihood that arteries will harden, which restricts blood flow to the heart. Smokers are at least twice as likely to develop heart disease as non-smokers. Women who smoke and use birth control pills are at even greater risk. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise improves heart function and lowers both blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Women who maintain an active lifestyle have a significantly lower risk of developing heart disease and diabetes than those who do not.

Eat a heart-healthy diet. Diets low in fat, cholesterol and salt can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. For healthier eating, women should choose foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat greatly increases risk of heart disease, even if other risk factors don’t exist. Know the numbers. Abnormal blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar (glucose) ranges can be red flags for diabetes and heart disease. Women of all ages should have regular screenings and ask their health care provider what numbers are normal for their age.

“By making lifestyle changes themselves, women can lower their risk of heart disease and improve their overall physical and mental health,” Baker said. “Women have the power to reduce their risk of heart disease. The late 20s and early 30s is a critical time for women to take action to either reduce or eliminate their risk factors and set themselves up for a long, heart-healthy life.”

Two civic-minded volunteers are nearing the mid-way point of a 50-day, 50-state journey that has them rolling up their sleeves and helping community organizations and their initiatives. Day No. 25 of their travels will bring them to Indianapolis Thursday to gather donations from area businesses and help perform renovation work on a long-term care home for pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers.

On Jan. 4, Tim Malcolm and Kirsten L’Orange, co-founders of The Civic Projects, began a 14,000-mile cross country journey to promote social awareness and community service by volunteering at 50 community organizations in 50 states in 50 days. The couple will arrive in Indianapolis on Thursday (Jan. 28) to collect local donations from around the city and volunteer their time and skills to Project Home Indy. Malcolm and L’Orange update their travels daily on their blog. Project Home Indy provides a nurturing residential environment that helps teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting gain self-sufficiency. This summer, the organization began renovation of a historic home located on the campus of Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 32 E. 32nd St., that will begin to provide a long-term living arrangements for families later this year.

During their day in Indianapolis, Malcom and L’Orange will help perform renovation work on the house and travel the community picking up donations for the home. Malcolm and L’Orange will begin their day accepting donations from RJE Business Interiors, a full-service furniture and design company located in downtown Indianapolis. RJE Business Interiors is donating office furniture, desks, chairs, bookcases and a dining room table. Managed Health Services, one of the state’s health care plan providers for Hoosiers on Medicaid, will be the next stop on the trip.  At 11 a.m. at its offices at 1099 N. Meridian St., Suite 400 downtown, MHS will donate baby crib mattresses and several baby care bags that include daily essentials, including diapers. The Civic Projects will also gather donations, including new baby cribs, from Plews Shadley Racher and Braun and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a $2,500 gift card from Home Depot for Project Home Indy.

The Civic Projects is documenting its journey across the country through its Web site, complete with photos and video from their stops. “We hope that sharing the challenges, rewards and the human story of our journey will inspire countless other individuals to support their own community organizations through service and donation.”

“Thumbs Up Johnnie” is a lovable cartoon character who owns The Longhorn Diner, where all the cowboys and cowgirls in Happy, Texas, gather for the best flapjacks around. He always has his hands full, flipping flapjacks, pouring milk and coffee and catering to his customers – things he couldn’t do if he weren’t physically active and mindful about his own good personal health.

Surrounded by a lively band of characters, including Lillian Pinky, Buddy, Banker Bill, Dimestore Sam and Hi Five Handy, Thumbs Up Johnnie is the creation of author Michelle Bain. Her quest to create a world where children can learn through humor and by example of virtue has been her primary motivator. Bain’s writing expression, illustration and character development encourages children to embody various virtues in their daily life.

“As a child, reading fueled my imagination and gave me an appetite for writing as an art,” said Bain, who created Thumbs Up Johnnie in 2002. “My stories are purposely structured with multi-layered humor, double entendres and idiosyncratic characters to make story lines interesting to many different types of readers.”

As part of Managed Health Services’ statewide campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of childhood obesity, a nationally known cartoon character will bring a very special message to students in Gary on Monday, one that warns them about the dangers of not living an active and healthy life. 

Bain (left) will read her latest book, “Super CENTEAM 5: The Adventures of Thumbs Up Johnnie,” written to help fight childhood obesity, to students at Longfellow Elementary in Gary on Monday beginning at 9 a.m. CST. Longfellow Elementary is located at 4500 Calhoun St.

Thumbs Up Johnnie will make a personal appearance at the school. Students will receive autographed copies of Bain’s book, character-themed bracelets and will take part in a pre- and a post-presentation test that will be issued by their classroom teachers.

Bain’s appearance Monday is part of the “Adopt a School” program sponsored nationally by Centene Corp. and in Indiana by Centene-owned Managed Health Services (MHS), one of the state’s healthcare providers for Hoosiers on Medicaid.

One of the state’s top healthcare plans for Hoosier families on Medicaid, with the help of its mascot RosieRoo (at left),  launched an innovative new program that encourages people to take charge of their personal health while rewarding them for doing so.

At Shalom Health Care Center in Indianapolis, Managed Health Services debuted its new CentAccount Healthy Rewards program, which all members of the MHS healthcare plan can immediately begin utilizing. It works like this: MHS plan members are issued a personalized CentAccount Healthy Rewards MasterCard debit card. Members can earn between $10 and $20 for completing an annual exam, completing well-baby exams for children ages infant to 15 months, completing well-child exams for children ages 15 months to 20 years and having routine, recommended screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, diabetes and chlamydia.

Funds rewarded to MHS members for completing these examinations and screenings are loaded onto their CentAccount debit cards and members can use those funds to pay for health-related supplies, like a variety of over-the-counter medications and baby supplies.

Here’s more from Associated Press writer Tom Murphy, whose story appeared in the New York Times, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, ABC News, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News and the Chicago Tribune. And here’s the video of the launch of this new rewards program from Shalom Health Care Center on Monday.