24 Champions Recognized for High Rates of Blood Pressure Control

On November 7, 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced 24 winners of the 2017 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge, recognizing clinical practices and health systems that achieved blood pressure control rates of 70 percent or greater among their adult patients. According to the federal announcement, the recognized Champions provide care to more than 1.2 million adults nationwide, addressing a critical public health gap where less than half of American adults with hypertension have their condition under control.

• Twenty-four clinical practices and health systems were named 2017 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champions by the CDC on November 7, 2017.
• Awardees achieved patient blood pressure control rates at or above 70 percent, collectively serving over 1.2 million adult patients.
• The initiative emphasizes evidence-based treatment guidelines, team-based care, and the strategic utilization of electronic health records to mitigate the risks of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents.

Epidemiological Context and the Million Hearts 2022 Initiative

High blood pressure remains a primary modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, affecting nearly one in three American adults, per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Uncontrolled hypertension significantly elevates the clinical probability of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and chronic cognitive decline such as dementia. Against this backdrop, the federal Million Hearts initiative formally launched a new five-year phase designated Million Hearts 2022. This updated phase prioritizes preventive health maintenance, optimized clinical workflows, and targeted interventions for vulnerable populations.

“Too many Americans have high blood pressure, putting them at greater risk for a heart attack, stroke, dementia and other serious health threats,” said CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., in the official agency release. “Controlling blood pressure is one of the most effective ways to keep people healthy. We applaud these Champions for such great progress.”

Verified Strategies of the 2017 Champions

To secure recognition in the 2017 challenge, entrants submitted verifiable clinical data demonstrating high control rates. According to the CDC, successful practices integrated specific operational methodologies into their daily workflows, including making hypertension control an institutional priority, adhering strictly to evidence-based treatment guidelines, and deploying health care teams to increase patient contact frequency. Furthermore, these organizations leveraged electronic health records equipped with clinical decision support tools to track patient metrics.

The 2017 Champions represent a diverse geographical and institutional cross-section of American healthcare delivery. The designated practices and health systems include:

• Anming Luo Physician PC (Queens, New York)
• Charles King Chan, M.D. (Queens, New York)
• Citrus Health Network Inc. (Hialeah, Florida)
• Erwin Mermelstein, M.D. (East Brunswick, New Jersey)
• Greater Elgin Family Care Center (Elgin, Illinois)
• Jeffrey James Lim, M.D., FACP (Guymon, Oklahoma)
• LifeLong Medical Care Downtown Oakland Health Center (Berkeley, California)
• Lorain County Health & Dentistry (Lorain, Ohio)
• Lynn Community Center (Lynn, Massachusetts)
• Maninder S. Kohli, M.D. (Hinsdale, Illinois)
• Michael Andrew Cooper, M.D. (Flower Mound, Texas)
• Michael Richter, M.D. (Queens, New York)
• New West Physicians (Golden, Colorado)
• North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Center (West New York, New Jersey)
• Ohio Health PCP, Eagleton (Columbus, Ohio)
• Plymouth Family Physicians (Plymouth, Wisconsin)
• River Hills Community Health Center (Ottumwa, Iowa)
• Rural Medical Services Inc. (Newport, Tennessee)
• Rush University Medical Group (Chicago, Illinois)
• Sanford Health Clinics (Bismarck, North Dakota)
• Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Groups (San Diego, California)
• Southwest Orlando Family Medicine (Orlando, Florida)
• The Wright Center Clarks Summit Clinic (Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania)
• WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care (Pascoag, Rhode Island)

Achieving sustained blood pressure control across large patient panels requires robust infrastructure, accurate diagnostic tools, and coordinated care teams. Clinics seeking to emulate the benchmarks set by the 2017 Champions often benefit from evaluating their internal operational protocols. Healthcare organizations looking to audit their diagnostic workflows or integrate advanced health information technology can consult with specialized practice management entities. Additionally, providers aiming to align their clinical pathways with federal prevention standards frequently partner with entities to ensure adherence to evidence-based hypertension guidelines.

Future Trajectory of Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

As health systems adapt to the operational demands of the Million Hearts 2022 framework, the focus shifts toward continuous quality improvement and expanding registry-based tracking. According to Janet Wright, M.D., board-certified cardiologist and executive director of Million Hearts, participation in the challenge reached unprecedented levels in 2017. “We had a higher than ever number of entrants this year, and we hope that these Champions inspire teams all over the country to make hypertension control a priority,” Dr. Wright stated. Maintaining this momentum relies on systematic clinical vigilance at every patient encounter, ensuring that elevated blood pressures are identified, treated, and persistently monitored until target thresholds are met.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.