Bitterroot Health is pleased to announce that Stacy Epling, BSN, RN, Manager of Population Health, has been awarded the “2022 Population Health Pioneer Award” as Population Health Nurse of the Year.
“I’m honored to be given this award, but I truly would not be the leader I am without my amazing team! They are all dedicated to the care they provide to our patients, inspiring me every day,” said Epling.
Population Health’s role is to offer Medicare patients help managing their chronic conditions and care needs. Working closely with the patient’s primary care provider and specialists to give support and education, encourage preventative health maintenance and follow up care, along with assistance to navigate resources and understand health information.
“I’ve seen, first-hand how our Annual Wellness visit, and Chronic Care Management teams have impacted our patients lives. We’ve discovered life threatening conditions that may not have otherwise been found, have avoided hospitalizations, and escaped potential distress. By providing education and support, along with being a patient and family liaison, our goal is to make an impact on their quality of life. The chance to make a difference is incredibly important in our daily work,” Epling said.
The award is given by Caravan Health, the national leader of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), supporting more than 300 independent health systems and 26,000 clinicians. ACOs are health care providers that work as a team to coordinate care for a group of patients, with the goals of providing exceptional care, reducing waste, and focusing on better health outcomes for their patients.
“Our nursing staff play a key role in our populations overall health and provide exceptional care to our patients,” said John Bishop, CEO of Bitterroot Health.
“I’m proud of this team and am pleased to see Stacy recognized. She’s a wonderful example of hard work, passion, and care for others. Stacy and the Population Health team handle patients with complex medical conditions; they’re brilliant at what they do,” Bishop said.
Earlier this year, Bitterroot Health was ranked the #1 Critical Access Hospital in Montana, and 4th nationally, by the Lown Institutes Hospital Index, which compares more than 3,000 US hospitals, and considers 54 metrics across the categories of equity, value, and outcomes – which is on par with the goals the organization also stives for as an ACO.
To learn more about BH Population Health, visit: bitterroothealth.org/pophealth