Background

1. When did the AMGA Acclaim Award begin?

The AMGA Acclaim Award began in 1999 as a way of recognizing Medical Groups for outstanding improvement in patient outcomes. It was initially co-sponsored by AMGA and Pharmacia & Upjohn.

Timeline

1999
The AMGA Acclaim Award was first awarded in 1999 at AMGA’s Annual Conference. It was intended to reward quality improvement efforts, led by physician-directed health care organizations, which measurably improve health outcomes and quality of life for patient populations. The Acclaim Award recipient received a $50,000 educational grant and Steuben Crystal which was designed specifically for Acclaim.

2004
The applicant criteria were restructured around the six Institute of Medicine (IOM) Aims for the 21st Century and placed a heavy emphasis on leadership involvement. Applicants were asked to measurably demonstrate progress toward achieving the six aims and transforming their organizations to provide health care that is (1) safe, (2) effective, (3) patient-centered, (4) timely, (5) efficient, and (6) equitable.

AMGA was looking for medical groups that go beyond “quality projects” by embracing the six IOM Aims and using them to make system-wide changes to build a better way of providing care.

2007
The AMGA Board of Directors determined that The Acclaim Award should be sponsored solely by the association rather than being co-sponsored with industry. For the first year, the 2007 Award was granted through AMGA’s philanthropic arm, the American Medical Group Foundation. Further, it was decided that the Steuben Crystal was sufficient recognition and the monetary grants were eliminated.

2. How do applicants demonstrate success in implementing the Six IOM Aims?

Each applicant submits a formal proposal, which includes the following:

Abstract or executive summary of the transformative initiative
Organization Group Profile
Detailed description of how the organization addressed:
- Six IOM Aims
- Leadership Commitment
- Implementation Plan
- Results

3. How is the evaluation process conducted?

AMGA convenes an expert advisory panel which includes 6 to 8 individuals (Chief Operating Officers, Chief Medical Officers, Directors of Quality, Nurse Administrators, etc.) who participate in a blinded review process.

NOTE: Since the AMGA Acclaim Award review panel contains representatives from the top medical groups in the country, many times their institution will submit an application. If this happens, the panelist from their institution is asked to abstain from all discussion and voting on their application.

Past Acclaim Award Recipients

2008

Mercy Clinics, Inc.

2007

The Everett Clinic

2006

Health Partners Medical Group

2005

Luther Midelfort - Mayo Health System

2004

Park Nicollet Health Services
The Everett Clinic

2003

Henry Ford Medical Group
The Salem Clinic, P.C.

2002

Park Nicollet Health Services

2001

Mount Carmel

2000

Park Nicollet
Methodist Hospital

1999

Health System Minnesota

The American Medical Group Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the AMGA. As a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization, its mission is to foster quality improvement in group practice through education and research programs in clinical quality, patient safety, service, operational efficiency, and innovation. In addition to research and demonstration projects, the Foundation helps support learning collaboratives and presents educational grants and awards to medical groups that demonstrate improvements in practice, quality, and patient care.

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