Capital Health Plan’s Nancy Van Vessem Center For Healthy Aging Recognized as a Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champion

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Capital Health Plan (CHP), a trusted Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in the Florida Panhandle, proudly announces that the Nancy Van Vessem, MD, Center for Healthy Aging has been designated as a 2023 Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champion by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This recognition underscores CHP's commitment to exceptional cardiovascular care and its dedication to improving public health.

As a leader in quality health care, with over 40 years of service, CHP emphasizes the importance of controlling hypertension, a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, and disability for millions of adults in the United States. The Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Challenge is a vital program that acknowledges clinicians, practices, and health systems, like CHP, for achieving hypertension control rates of at least 80%. Entrants are required to share verifiable data and effective strategies, contributing to a broader effort to inspire and guide healthcare providers nationwide in hypertension management.

“Recognition of the Nancy Van Vessem, MD, Center for Healthy Aging, as a Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champion is not just an honor for Capital Health Plan, it's a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence in cardiovascular care,” stated Dr. Cielo Rose, an Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at CHP. “Battling hypertension is critical in the fight against heart disease and stroke. This accolade fuels our commitment to lead with innovative approaches and to share our learnings for the greater good of public health."

The full list of 2023 Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions includes:

  • Carbondale Family Health Center, Carbondale, Pennsylvania*

  • CCAP Family Health Services, Cranston, Rhode Island*

  • El Rio Southwest Internal Medicine, Tucson, Arizona*

  • Family Medical Center of Michigan, Temperance, Michigan*

  • First Coast Cardiovascular Institute, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Hills and Dales Family Healthcare of Cass City, Cass City, Michigan

  • Hills and Dales Kingston Family Practice, Kingston, Michigan

  • Hills and Dales Ubly Medical Clinic, Ubly, Michigan

  • Holland Health Care, Holland, Ohio*

  • Indian River Primary Care, Vero Beach, Florida*

  • Darrin D. Menard, MD, Lafayette, Louisiana

  • Navarre Park Family Health Center, Toledo, Ohio*

  • NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania, New York, New York

  • Pinnacle Family Health Center, Tafton, Pennsylvania*

  • Rosalind Rabin, MD, Brighton, Massachusetts

  • James Shina, MD, Austintown, Ohio

  • TidalHealth Primary Care, Federalsburg, Maryland

  • Valley Professionals Community Health Center, Cayuga, Indiana*

  • Valley Professionals Community Health Center, Clinton, Indiana*

  • Valley Professionals Community Health Center, Crawfordsville, Indiana*

  • Valley Professionals Community Health Center, Terre Haute, Indiana*

  • Nancy Van Vessem, MD, Center for Healthy Aging at Capital Health Plan, Tallahassee, Florida

  • Deanna Vroman, MD, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

  • Waymart Family Health Center, Waymart, Pennsylvania*

*Denotes a health care organization that is or includes a health center funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration


Capital Health Plan (CHP) is committed to offering affordable, comprehensive health care to its members. Now in its 41st year, CHP has grown to serve over 135,000 members in the Florida Panhandle and has an extensive physician network that includes three exclusive CHP health centers that provide preventive, primary, and specialty care services. Based in Tallahassee, it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.capitalhealth.com.

Million Hearts® is a national initiative, co-led by CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2027. Learn more about Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions.