PHA celebrates 10 years of accredited care centers ceo-update-banner-2023-2 Dear friends,As we begin a new year, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association celebrates the 10th anniversary of its accreditation program for PH Care Centers.Today, there are more than 85 accredited care centers, and nearly 20 more applications are under review. Accredited centers must have resources to treat all forms of PH, such as cohesive medical teams, institutional support for the PH program and verification that clinicians accurately diagnose and appropriately treat PH.Although this is the 10th anniversary, 2023 gave us many reasons to celebrate our care center program. We made more site visits and reviewed more centers for reaccreditation last year than in any previous year.Last year, we welcomed seven new centers:
  • George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
  • Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis.
  • Prisma Health, Columbia, South Carolina.
  • Mercy Clinic Pulmonology, St. Louis.
  • Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
  • United Hospital Allina Health, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Also in 2023, two hospitals expanded their accreditation status from Regional Clinical Programs to Centers of Comprehensive Care. Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis and Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut are the first regional programs to become comprehensive care centers.Accredited comprehensive care centers evaluate patients according to evidence-based guidelines and provide expert treatment through all FDA-approved therapies. Comprehensive care centers also make important contributions to PH research and education.Regional PH Centers provide expert treatment with all non-infused therapies. They collaborate with comprehensive care centers by referring patients who might benefit from therapy not available at the regional center, including initial infused therapy and clinical trials.The two-level system acknowledges that some cardiologists and pulmonologists provide excellent care and can start first-line treatment for people with less severe PH, although they might have smaller practices or don’t primarily treat PH.We’re proud to provide dedicated PH care at all of our accredited centers, including eight pediatric programs. But we realize that close to 90 isn’t enough. As we review applications for new accreditations, we look for opportunities to expand. We know that many parts of the country lack specialized care, meaning that many people lack access to accurate diagnosis and treatment to improve their quality of life.PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council recognized that need many years ago. In 2011, they started to develop a program to raise the quality of PH care. They saw a need to improve diagnosis and disease management, despite availability of successful PH treatments at the time. That program became the PH Care Centers initiative that we celebrate today.As we move into the second decade of this invaluable program, we continue to look for opportunities to expand access to care and ultimately fulfill our mission to improve and extend the lives of those affected by PH.One of those opportunities was a recent webinar organized by the Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension. The Dec. 12, 2023, event featured representatives from pulmonary hypertension associations around the world. I was honored to join those leaders and discuss PHA’s role in patient care over the past three decades. Watch the webinar.Best wishes to you in the new year from everyone at PHA. As I always, I look forward to hearing from you.With gratitude and respect,