SANFORD — Southern Maine Health Care’s Pediatrics practice in Sanford has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for providing Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home care to its patients.

The Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, better patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their clinicians. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across our healthcare system.

“Congratulations to the providers and staff at SMHC’s Pediatrics office in Sanford for achieving this prestigious and well-deserved recognition at the highest level,” said SVP and Chief Medical Officer Mike Albaum, MD. “It is a tribute to their patient-centered focus and continuous improvement efforts to provide care to SMHC’s patients in the Sanford community with Excellence. Always.”

The PCMH designation is given to practices that are using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships.

To earn the Level 3 distinction, which is valid for three years, SMHC Pediatrics at 25A June Street in Sanford demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home at the highest level.