Stratis Health Announces New Building Healthier Communities Award Recipient

Published Thursday, March 12, 2009

In celebration of National Patient Safety Awareness Week, Stratis Health announced the newest recipient of its Building Healthier Communities award— CardioVision 2020.

The Building Healthier Communities award provides CardioVision 2020 funding to establish and update Web-based community education, awareness building, and social networking “heart healthy” resources for Olmsted County, Minnesota, with the secondary purpose of serving as a model and resource for other communities across Minnesota to implement similar locally-based health and prevention programs.

“This funding will help continue CardioVision 2020’s 10-year track record of benefitting the residents of Olmsted County,” said Stephen Kopecky, MD, Stratis Health board chair and cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, based in Rochester. “This program aligns well with Stratis Health’s efforts to reduce treatment disparities by reinforcing adherence to lifestyle and medical therapies for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment and to help promote continuation and coordination of care.”

As a nonprofit organization guided by an independent community-based board of directors, Stratis Health is committed to being a responsible and engaged community member. The Building Healthier Communities award supports initiatives that can help grow an appreciation for the culture of health care quality and patient safety in Minnesota. Jennifer Lundblad, PhD, president and CEO, Stratis Health, said, “By funding these programs, we can be a catalyst for collaboration and innovation in our community.”

Nominations for the award are made by Stratis Health Board or staff members. Award nominees must align with Stratis Health’s mission and vision, advance Stratis Health’s work and relationships, benefit the community, and focus on Minnesota.

CardioVision 2020 aims to reduce cardiovascular disease burden in Olmsted County to the lowest levels in the US by 2020, by promoting healthy lifestyle habits as well as appropriate therapies for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Through this award, Stratis Health joins with other community partners—Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Minnesota, and others in Olmsted County community partners—that support CardioVision 2020.