Multiple Media Outlets Highlight Temple Health Receiving Independence Blue Cross Clinical Care Innovation Grant for Its ‘I COPE MORE’ Project Focused on Integrating Behavioral and Medical Care

Independence Blue Cross has awarded six Clinical Care Innovation Grants to support projects aimed at improving the quality and delivery of health care. Temple Health received one of the grants for its “Implementing Care Optimization for Person’s Emotions, Mood and Other Related Experiences (I COPE MORE)” project, which is led by David O’Gurek, MD, Interim Chair and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University; Rachael Clark, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine at the Katz School of Medicine; and Lakisha Sturgis, RN, BSN, MPH, CPHQ, Director of Community Care Management, Population Health, at Temple Health. The project focuses on integrating behavioral and medical care using a behavioral health screening tool. The tool helps to quickly identify at-risk patients, streamline access to care, establish a foundation for value-based care and provide treatment planning and care coordination. Media outlets, including the Associated Press, Morningstar and Markets Insider, reported on the news.