NCQA Accredits Jefferson Medical Care - South Philadelphia As Patient-Centered Medical Home

Jefferson Medical Care - South Philadelphia, a primary care practice, has received accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, showing its commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care that focuses on coordinated and long-term collaborative patient-physician partnerships.

"This makes the highest level of primary care available to the South Philadelphia community," says Lawrence Ward, MD, Vice Chair for Clinical Practice and Quality for Jefferson's Department of Medicine. Located adjacent to Methodist Hospital, Jefferson Medical Care - South Philadelphia is the only practice in South Philadelphia to receive NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition.

The medical home model of care delivery has been shown to improve the quality and efficiency of primary care, replacing episodic care with a coordinated approach. It places the physician at the helm of the medical team, coordinating the patients' care at all levels. The much-sought-after NCQA seal of quality is given to primary care practices that demonstrate the greatest success at providing personalized, coordinated, efficient and effective care.

Physicians Mark Graham, MD, Melanie Jewell, MD, Jennifer Cowan, MD, and nurse practitioner, Megan Golightly see many patients with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and obesity that require regular medical care and in some cases, intermittent hospitalizations.

"As a medical home, we have processes in place that enable us to proactively address some of these chronic medical conditions before they become severe. Our availability, expanded hours and workflow make it easier for our patients to work with us in managing their condition, thus avoiding access issues, unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits," says Graham. Drs. Graham and Jewell have practiced in South Philadelphia since the 1980s and were later joined by Dr. Cowan and CRNP Golightly.

"Our practice is committed to serving the South Philadelphia community with the highest quality patient-centered care," says Graham.