Tendercare Clinic receives national recognition
Published 4:03 pm Thursday, January 16, 2014
- Pictured: Dr. Dave Ringer, Medical Director, Dr. James Southerland, and Dr. Craig Colby, medical providers at TenderCare Clinic.
TenderCare Clinic has been recognized by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) for successful completion of an Office Champions Tobacco Cessation Federally Qualified Health Center project. During the year-long project, TenderCare Clinic implemented a series of system changes to integrate tobacco cessation activities into daily office routines to create a culture that encourages tobacco-free lifestyles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, cigarette smoking results in 443,000 deaths in the United States each year, making it the most preventable cause of death. Of the estimated 46 million current U.S. smokers, nearly 70 percent say that they would like to quit. AAFP selected Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) to participate in the tobacco cessation project.
The AAFP trained “Office Champions” through an online training module, live teleconferences and a practice manual to take on a leadership role in improving their practice’s clinical system to treat tobacco dependence. Office Champions were required to submit an implementation plan as well as track and report results.
TenderCare Clinic was one of only 22 offices across the United States selected to participate. This project can profoundly affect populations in critical need of health intervention. The changes TenderCare Clinic made during this project could impact patients for a lifetime. Tobacco Cessation is the most important and productive action that any smoker or tobacco user can take to improve their health. It will make a positive impact on everyone’s health.
TenderCare Clinic is a Patient Centered Medical Home and has three locations to serve the citizens of Georgia’s Lake Country, Baldwin, Greene, Morgan, and Putnam counties. TenderCare Clinic is located in downtown Greensboro – 706.453.1201, Family Medical of Lake Oconee – 706.453.4945, and Family Medical of Milledgeville – 478.414.1414.