BIDDEFORD — Southern Maine Health Care’s Internal Medicine practice in Sanford has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance 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 staff, physician and nurse practitioner at SMHC’s Internal Medicine office in Sanford for achieving this prestigious and well-deserved recognition at the highest level,” said senior vice president and chief medical officer Dr. Mike Albaum. “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 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 Internal Medicine, 25A June St., Sanford, demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home at the highest level.

Other SMHC practices that have earned recognition from the NCQA include:

• Level 3: SMHC Family Medicine – Kennebunk, SMHC Family Medicine – Saco, SMHC Family Medicine – Sanford, SMHC Internal Medicine – Biddeford and SMHC Internal Medicine – Kennebunk

• Level 2: SMHC Pediatrics – Biddeford, and SMHC Pediatrics – Saco

• Level 1: SMHC Pediatrics – Kennebunk