UPMC and UPMC Health Plan Recognized Nationally for Quality Leadership in Employee Health and Pr...( PITTSBURGH Oct. 24 /- The Certifi...),Health

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission (CDMSC) has chosen the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) as the recipient of its 2007 Quality Leadership Award, in recognition of the organization's innovative programs to promote the health and productivity of its workforce.

The award was presented today at the National Business Group on Health's 2007 Joint Forum on Health, Productivity, and Absence Management in Washington, D.C. The NBGH Forum is a key annual conference in the health and productivity industry, attracting employers as both attendees and presenters. Each year, the CDMSC - the only independent, nationally accredited organization that certifies disability management specialists - honors a company, organization, or individual for demonstrating leadership in disability management.

"UPMC provides a powerful example of how employers are discovering the importance of helping employees become healthier and stay healthier through a variety of programs, all of which promote productivity whether at work or at home," commented Renee Mattaliano, Chair of the CDMSC.

The collaboration between UPMC and its health insurance division works to promote health and productivity among UPMC employees through several innovative initiatives, including:

-- Global Assessment for Triage and Engagement (GATE), which occurs on

every staff member entering the disability benefits process, ensures

that appropriate levels of case management and health advocacy

resources are assigned at the onset of a case for optimal outcomes. The

program includes a holistic clinical evaluation by a specially trained

nurse case manager to assess health risks and identify cases that need

early invention, including referrals to other programs.

-- EAP - Work Transitions, specifically designed for staff members who are

receiving disability be
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