Release Date: March 12, 2008

ALBUQUERQUE, NM- Presbyterian Healthcare Services has received recognition of excellence in addressing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare from the Disparities Solutions Center (DSC) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, MA.

Presbyterian was awarded this honor for its efforts of implementing practical strategies to identify and address racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, particularly through quality improvement.

Last year, Georgia Canon-Vivoli, operations manager of health services, and Sunah Jung, director of provider services, were selected to participate in a year-long executive leadership program led by the DSC. The program is designed for leaders in healthcare organizations who are seeking the development of strategies to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

"We can and should do more to ensure that healthcare systems across New Mexico deliver the highest quality of care to all patients, regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture, or language proficiency," said Jung.

The Disparities Leadership Program is jointly sponsored by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and is supported by Joint Commission Resources (JCR), an affiliate of the Joint Commission.

 The Disparities Solutions Center is currently engaged in several projects, which vary in terms of audience, aim, geographic location and length, in order to achieve its mission – to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

Presbyterian serves to improve the health of individuals, families and communities. Presbyterian Healthcare Services was founded in New Mexico in 1908, and is the state's only private, not-for-profit healthcare system. Presbyterian offers seven hospitals, a statewide health plan, and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Presbyterian employs more than 9,500 people throughout New Mexico.