For Immediate Release
November 28, 2001

Contact:
Amy Weinschenk
(207) 774-5801
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com
Web Site: http://www.martinspoint.org

Martin's Point Health Care, the state's largest not-for-profit primary care practice, is continuing to receive accolades nationally for Patient's Personal Points (TM), an interactive, Internet-based system that allows patients to communicate online with their doctors.

Martin's Point recently received three communications awards, including two related to the online program that allows patients to communicate via secure server with their doctors to schedule appointments, ask medical questions and obtain prescription renewals. Launched in mid-1999, Patient's Personal Points (TM) is now being used by more than 5,000 patients served by Martin's Point. Visit www.martinspoint.org for more information.

"These awards show me that we are succeeding in our efforts to communicate effectively and proactively with our patients, their families and the general public throughout Maine and New Hampshire," said Dr. David Howes, M.D., Martin's Point president and chief medical officer. "I'm particularly pleased because part of our mission is to provide accurate, up-to-date information that helps people make informed decisions about their health care."

The honors include a first-place 2001 Lamplighter Award from the New England Society for Healthcare Communications (NESHCo) for Patient's Personal Points (TM), which is part of the Martin's Point web site. NESHCo, representing communications professionals throughout the region, awards Lamplighters each year to honor communications excellence.

Martin's Point also won two national eHealthcare Leadership Awards in the medical practice class: a gold award for "Best Interactive Web Site" and a silver award for "Best Health/Healthcare Content." The awards, which drew 700 entries nationwide, were sponsored by eHealthcare Strategy & Trends, a leading Internet publication and online resource based in Rye, N.Y. The awards recognize outstanding health care web sites for consumers and professionals, the organization said.

Located at http://www.martinspoint.org, the Martin's Point site features information about Martin's Point physicians, office locations, hours and services, as well as a newsletter, an online pharmacy, a health-education section and links to other-health related sites.

Established in 1981, Martin's Point is a not-for-profit health care provider with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine, and in Portsmouth, N.H. Martin's Point has a staff of more than 300 health care professionals and serves 54,000 patients - including military retirees and dependents of active military personnel - under all major health plans.

Martin's Point serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, and mammography, as well as other fields. In addition, Martin's Point is continuing to attract attention for its innovative approach to health care. Last year, Patient's Personal Points (TM) also won a national technology award from the Healthcare Innovations in Technology Systems (HITS) Partnership in Technology national awards program. For additional information on Martin's Point Health Care, visit online at http://www.martinspoint.org.

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