Morganton, NC (April 25, 2012) - In conjunction with annual observation of the National Day of Recognition for Long Term Care Physicians, Dr. Edward Plyler of Burke Primary Care in Morganton was recognized for his service as the Medical Director at Grace Ridge Retirement Community. Dr Plyler has served at Grace Ridge for the past 23 years and helped establish the facility’s Healthcare Center. In 2001, he began providing patient care at Grace Heights LTC and Rehab.

As medical director at Grace Ridge, Dr. Plyler helps oversee care policies, monitors quality care indicators, acts as liaison with other physicians, as well as attends and cares for patients in the facility. He provides care for patients undergoing short-term post-procedure rehab and long term care for the elderly. He has over 25 years experience in geriatric medical care.

Within the facilities, Dr. Plyler works with an interdisciplinary team to help reduce the number of medications, if appropriate, institute nutritional and physical therapy, and endeavors to provide the best quality of life for the long term care patient. He also works to reduce unnecessary ER and hospitalizations for patients during their stay in the rehab or Long Term Care facility (LTC) and works in conjunction with Hospice care as appropriate.

Dr. Edward Plyler is an active member in the American Medical Director’s Association (AMDA). The AMDA is the professional association of medical directors, attending physicians, and others practicing in the long-term care continuum. The association is dedicated to excellence in patient care and provides education, advocacy, information, and professional development to promote the delivery of quality long term care medicine.

In 2010, the United States Congress designated March 20th as the National Day of Recognition for Long Term Care Physicians. This initiative started with a resolution from the Georgia Medical Directors Association honoring the memory and work of AMDA founder William Dodd, MD, CMD.

Dr. Dodd was a community physician who recognized that residents of nursing homes were patients with complex medical problems and that physicians needed to be involved in establishing the standards of management and clinical care for the frail elderly and other residents in long term care facilities.

Morganton, NC (April 23, 2012) - Dr. G. Michael Gould, DO of Burke Primary Care has successfully completed the Diabetes Module: Knowledge Assessment and Clinical Simulation as part of his Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians.

Offered by the American Board of Family Medicine, certification is a voluntary process that attests to the physician achieving a recognized level of professional excellence. Certification includes testing the medical knowledge and problem-solving ability of the physician including topics covering diagnosis, management and prevention of illness. Dr. Gould was also required to provide evidence of professional standing, a commitment to lifelong learning and an evaluation of his practice performance.

Dr. Gould graduated from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, West Virginia and complet- ing his residency at Anderson Area Medical Center in South Carolina. He has a special interest in Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal Medicine, and has additional training in Osteopathic Manipulation.

As an Osteopathic Physician (DO), Dr. Gould focuses on the individual as a unification of body, mind and spirit. DO’s recognize that the body, when properly treated and maintained, is capable of self-regulation, self-maintenance and self-healing. If all of the parts of the body are functioning optimally, the person will maintain the highest possible level of health. DO’s treat the whole person, not just a disease or symptoms.

When he is away from the office, Dr. Gould enjoys cycling, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, playing guitar and spending time with his family. Dr. Gould is one of the 14 dedicated health care providers at Burke Primary Care, Burke County’s oldest and largest independent family practice.

Morganton, NC (April 5, 2012) - As part of its commitment to provide each patient with an ongoing relationship with a personal physician who provides continuous and comprehensive care, Burke Primary Care is seeking national recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.

An innovative program for improving primary care, Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) defines a set of stan- dards that describe clear and specific criteria about organizing health care for patients over time.

As a Medical Home practice, Burke Primary Care focuses on caring for the whole person. The personal physician is responsible for providing for the patient’s entire healthcare needs or taking responsibility for appropriately arrang- ing care with other qualified professionals. At Burke Primary Care this includes care for all stages of life; acute care, chronic care, preventive services, and end of life care.

Burke Primary provides enhanced access to care by providing open scheduling, expanded hours and options for com- munication between patients, their personal physician and practice staff. Burke Primary Care is open until 8pm, Monday-Friday, and from 8am to Noon on Saturday to provide better access for those patients needing acute care outside of the standard 9am to 5pm business day.

Utilizing the practice’s newly renovated website, www.BurkePrimaryCare.com, patients can communicate online with their physician and healthcare team to arrange appointments, request a prescription refill or to contact their physician with a question. The practice emphasizes patient education through a patient newsletter available to patients in print and online, electronic messaging (e-blasts) related to the patient’s specific healthcare concerns and conditions, and custom posters in the waiting areas and treatment rooms.

Patient care at Burke Primary Care is coordinated and integrated across all elements of the complex health care system, such as subspecialty care, hospitals, home health agencies and nursing homes. The personal physician’s plan for the patient’s care may also include the family members and both public and private, community-based services.

While the PCHM national program is less than two years old, its core mission reflects a quality of care principle long practiced by Burke Primary Care, the largest independent family medical practice in Morganton.