The American Heart Association presents outpatient program achievement awards for proven dedication to ensuring patients have access to best practices that reduce risk of heart disease and stroke
Lexington, Mo, September, 18, 2025 – HCC Network received three American Heart Association outpatient program achievement awards in recognition for its commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke by improving high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and blood pressure management. The awards recognize a commitment to following the latest evidence- and science-based care guidelines.
Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke or heart failure.[1] High cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure are leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but with timely diagnosis, research-based treatment and education, these conditions can be managed.
The outpatient achievement award programs put the unparalleled expertise of the American Heart Association to work for health care organizations nationwide, helping ensure the care provided to patients is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in the Target: BP, Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol., Target: Type 2 Diabetes programs, HCC Network was recognized after demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving risk factor management for patients.
This year, HCC Network received these achievement awards:
- The American Heart Association’s Change. Control. Cholesterol™ (Gold)
- The American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ (Gold)
- Target: BP™ Silver+ recognition jointly presented by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association.
“Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death for Americans, and addressing (Type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure) management is key for better cardiovascular health,” said Howard Haft, M.D., MMM, CPE, FACPE, member of the American Heart Association’s National Quality Oversight Committee. “The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize HCC Network for its commitment to managing patient risk factors related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes.”
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About HCC Network
HCC Network is a community health center and designated Federally Qualified Health Center based in Lexington, Missouri. We provide medical, dental and behavioral health services to patients in our rural service area. We are dedicated to addressing social determinants of health and removing barriers to accessing health through a variety of our programs including peer support, chronic condition management, transportation, local resource and state/federal aid application assistance.
About Target: BPTM
Target: BP™ is a national collaboration between the American Heart Association and American Medical Association to reduce the number of Americans who suffer from heart attacks and strokes each year by urging physician practices, health systems and patients to prioritize hypertension control. The initiative aims to help health care organizations improve blood pressure control rates using evidence-based protocols, tools and resources and recognizes organizations that treat patients with hypertension for achieving blood pressure control rates within the populations they serve.
About Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™
The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building longer, healthier lives, created the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ initiative to improve awareness, detection and management of high cholesterol for consumers, patients and health care professionals.
About Target: Type 2 DiabetesSM
The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building longer, healthier lives, created Target: Type 2 Diabetes to raise awareness and understanding of the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease among patients, caregivers and health care professionals as well as empower patients and caregivers to better manage risk factors.
The Target: Type 2 Diabetes program supports physicians and care teams by offering access to the latest research, tools and resources to provide the most up-to-date cardiovascular and Type 2 diabetes management and treatment.
Rural communities free of barriers to live well.
[1] Martin S, et al. 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2024:149(8). https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001209.
