PA Dept. of Human Services Chief Medical Officer Visits Pyramid Healthcare Center of Excellence
On Wednesday, March 27, Dr. David Kelley, Chief Medical Officer for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Office of Medical Assistance Programs, visited Pyramid Healthcare, Inc.’s Center of Excellence (COE) in Altoona, PA.
Dr. Kelley requested the visit with Pyramid Healthcare’s Center of Excellence Program due to its demonstrated success since its inception three years ago through the Office of the Governor and the PA Department of Human Services. Dr. Kelley oversees the clinical and quality of care aspects of the state’s Medical Assistance Programs that provide health benefits to over 2.8 million recipients.
The Center of Excellence is comprised of a team of trained professionals including registered nurses and Certified Recovery Specialists who provide advocacy and additional support to help residents of Blair County succeed in their recovery from opioid addiction. The goal of the program is to increase the number of individuals who maintain recovery by integrating behavioral and primary health care.
The COE team helps individuals access behavioral healthcare services and remain engaged in the individual’s treatment services, which improves the odds of a successful recovery. The COE also assists individuals in accessing other necessary supports and services and since inception has assisted over 950 individuals.
Dr. Kelley visited with the Center of Excellence staff and reviewed the positive outcomes and meaningful improvement in recovery that he’s witnessed from individuals involved with the Center of Excellence. Dr. Kelley commented favorably on how the COE remains engaged with individuals throughout their treatment experience and in all levels of care including post-treatment. He congratulated the COE on the program’s success, Pyramid Healthcare’s commitment to creatively serving individuals with behavioral health issues, and for their particular focus on coordinating care for patients with Hepatitis C.
Jonathan Wolf, CEO of Pyramid commented, “We are honored to be recognized as a Center of Excellence and proud of the hard work that our COE staff has exerted to engage so many clients in life-saving treatment for opioid addiction.”
