About the Award
Sentara Health Plans values quality and safety, especially when coordinating and managing care and safety for our members. Sentara Health Plans has a physician recognition program to promote and salute excellence: the Dr. Melvin T. Pinn, Jr. Quality Excellence Award (QEA).
Founded in 2006, this prestigious award was created to recognize providers for their commitment to quality care and safety. Dr. Pinn advocated for the medically underserved and was a pillar in the community. He received countless awards throughout his career for his many contributions to high-quality and safe patient care.
Sentara Health Plans will continue to annually recognize an outstanding in-network provider who promotes safe clinical practice and delivery of quality care.
Sentara Health Plans members, network providers, provider office staff, Sentara Health Plans employees, and Sentara employees can nominate a physician any time between January 1 and December 31 each year.
To submit a nomination for the QEA award, click this link: Quality Excellence Award
Requirements for Participation
- The physician’s license must be unrestricted, current, and valid.
- The physician must be in good standing with Sentara Health Plans.
Good Standing: Most recent site visit score and medical records keeping scores meet Sentara Health Plans’ thresholds, as applicable; the physician submits quality information, re-credentialing applications, etc. per policy; and the physician continuously follows and adheres to Sentara Health Plans’ policies and procedures. - The physician cannot have grievances/complaints filed against them during the calendar year.
- The physician cannot have any quality issues during the calendar year noted on the National Practitioner Data Bank Report, Department of Health Professions – Board of Medicine Sanctions Report, the Office of the Inspector General Sanctions Report, Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
- The physician cannot be involved in any pending legal issues that could impede the delivery of safe, quality care of members.
- The nominator must complete the form and submit with the accolade and/or an explanation/example of current professional innovations in healthcare that have improved the health of members, as appropriate.
Award Recognition
Quality commitment
Physicians are recognized for showing commitment to quality, excellence, continuous health education, and improved outcomes for members.
Recognition
The awardee’s biography will be published on the Sentara Health Plans’ website and in the member and provider newsletters. A news release will be sent to the local newspaper.
Receipt of award from Sentara Health Plans (awarded to one physician annually)
Sentara Health Plans encourages awardees to proudly display the award in their office for others to see.
Award Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is eligible?
All in-network Sentara Health Plans healthcare physicians of any specialty. This includes all medical, allied health, and behavioral health physicians.
Who can nominate a physician?
Sentara Health Plans members, network providers, provider office staff, Sentara Health Plans employees, and Sentara employees.
What accolade(s) and/or professional innovations are eligible for recognition?
Physicians may be nominated if they received:
- An award or special designation in their field
- Appointment to a health-related local, state, or national committee
- Recognition for any of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), and/or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) programs
- Recognition for instituted health improvement programs in their practice to reach a specific group of patients to meet their healthcare needs
When will the selected physician be recognized?
One selected physician will be recognized annually. The awardee will be announced on the Sentara Health Plans’ website, and through our provider and member newsletters. A news release will be sent to the local newspaper.
How many awards are given in one year?
One award is given every year.
How often can a provider be awarded a QEA?
Once every five years.
Sentara Health Plans, in its sole discretion, will select the recipient of the Quality Excellence Award.
Please send to Sentara Health Plans using one of the following methods:
Mail:
Sentara Health Plans
Attn: Quality Member Safety Dept.
10800 Nuckols Rd.
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Email:
SHPMemberSafety@sentara.com
Subject: Quality Excellence Award
If submitting by email, know that some email providers (i.e., Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) may not encrypt your personal information for confidentiality because the provider may not offer this option.
Fax:
804-799-5102
Attn: Quality Member Safety Dept.
Please complete the nomination form to nominate a physician for the QEA today!