Comprehensive Remote Patient Monitoring program increases outpatient hypertension control rate
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – America’s Essential Hospitals recognized ECMC for its remote patient monitoring program to mitigate barriers to treatment for patients with hypertension.
America’s Essential Hospitals awarded ECMC a 2025 Gage Award honorable mention for population health at a June 12th luncheon at VITAL2025, the organization’s annual conference, in Atlanta.
“This recognition affirms our caregivers’ passion for improving the health of vulnerable populations in our community,” said Thomas Quatroche Jr., PhD, CEO, ECMC Corporation. “Through our remote patient monitoring program, we’re breaking down barriers by bringing blood pressure management into patients’ homes and expanding access to care. This award is another important affirmation of our team’s dedication to delivering effective care where it’s needed most.”
ECMC developed the Advancing Hypertension Control in Disparate Populations through Comprehensive Remote Patient Monitoring program in response to a community needs assessment that showed high rates of hypertension among patients, including 56% of Black patients. Participants receive a validated blood pressure cuff at no cost and attend telehealth visits to assist with monitoring health behaviors. Since 2022, ECMC has enrolled more than 900 primary care patients in the program, and the hypertension control rate among ECMC primary care clinics increased from 44.2% in 2022 to 69% in 2024.
“Our members reach outside their walls to meet patients where they are and provide superior, person-centered care,” said Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals. “These awards spotlight innovative solutions that reflect their commitment to their mission.”
The Gage Awards, named after association founder Larry Gage, honor and share successful and creative member hospital programs that improve patient care and meet community needs. The Gage Award for population health recognizes activities focused on social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, homelessness, language barriers, and other socioeconomic factors.
ABOUT AMERICA’S ESSENTIAL HOSPITALS: America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals dedicated to high-quality care for all, including those who face social and financial barriers to care. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has advanced policies and programs that promote health and access to health care. We support our more than 350 members with advocacy, policy development, research, education, and leadership development. Communities depend on essential hospitals for care across the continuum, health care workforce training, research, public health, and other services. Supported by Essential Hospitals Institute, the association’s research and education arm, essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead all of health care toward better outcomes and value.
ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (ECMC) CORPORATION: The ECMC Corporation was established as a New York State Public Benefit Corporation and since 2004 has included an advanced academic medical center with 573 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility. ECMC is Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, as well as a regional center for burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, medical oncology and head & neck cancer care, rehabilitation and a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences—the difference between healthcare and true care™.