NYC REACH was awarded a $21,754,010 Regional Extension Center (REC) grant to aid the implementation of EHR solutions to healthcare practitioners throughout New York City as provided by the $598m REC program of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Within the REC program, granted agencies evaluate EHR solutions and their attendant best practices for recommendation to providers while also assisting with technical assistance, information clearinghouse services and overall guidance in the implementation, connectivity and achievement of meaningful use through EHRs.

The grant application by NYC REACH was a collaboration between the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Fund for Public Health in New York. NYC REACH is administered by the city’s Primary Care Information Project, which began EHR implementation efforts and consulting to New York City practitioners in 2005.

Greenway said that it currently provides EHR solutions to practices throughout New York City, and has been providing consultative services to non-profit agencies nationwide seeking REC status. The REC program seeks to establish 70 centers throughout the US linking primary care group practices, critical access hospitals, community health centers and related healthcare organizations in predominantly underserved areas.

NYC REACH plans to begin its implementation services immediately as part of the initial two-year REC grant.

Tee Green, president of Greenway, said: “NYC REACH is one of the nation’s first granted REC programs to announce preferred EHR solutions, and its contributing agencies have shown a commitment to deployment so we are extremely proud to be able to drive improved public health outcomes and to further the creation of a national health information network.”

Amanda Parsons, assistant commissioner of the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and director of NYC REACH, said: “We’re very pleased to select Greenway as an option for New York City providers. We were impressed with their easy-to-use interface, their implementation and training support, as well as their positive user reviews.

“Regional Extension Center grants are meant to jumpstart nationwide meaningful use EHR adoption, which we see as an important step towards improving the quality of care and saving lives.”