Buffalo, N.Y. — The third program in the WNED-produced MY HEALTH COUNTS! series, subtitled “Quest for Quality,” premieres Wednesday, July 1 at 9:30 pm on WNED-TV. It will be rebroadcast on Friday, July 3 at 10 pm on WNED-TV and again Monday, July 6 at 8 pm on ThinkBright TV (digital channel 17.3/Time Warner 21). The series is produced in partnership with the P2 Collaborative of Western New York.

Studies show that the quality of care patients receive varies widely and that almost half of Americans do not get the care they need. Quest for Quality gives patients tools and tips to deal with some disconcerting realities of an imperfect health care system, including medical errors, miscommunication and inequitable care.

Knowledgeable health care professionals will offer practical, useful information to help viewers recognize and receive “quality health care” — defined as “care that works, care that is safe and care that is appropriately tailored to each person.” Host Susan Hunt guides the conversation with two experts:

• Dr. Michael Parkinson is the President of the American College of Preventive Medicine.
• Ann Monroe is the President of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York.

In addition, personal stories feature Western New Yorkers who are successfully taking charge of their health care—partnering with their doctors, reaching out to various sources for information and support; and making positive lifestyle changes.

• Niagara County resident Connie Berti, a newly diagnosed diabetic, became her own best health advocate.
• Dr. Jean Cangé of Clarence faced health problems of his own.
• Helen Arnold of Buffalo learned the importance of asking questions.
• Cheektowaga employee Kathy Bryzski benefits from her employer’s emphasis on wellness.

“‘My Health Counts!’ is an attitude—you are in control of your health,” says WNED Producer/Director Christy May. “The television series is really about encouraging and empowering people to take charge of their personal health and wellness.”

“If you’ve ever been frustrated, mystified or dissatisfied with health care, Quest for Quality can arm you with knowledge and make you a more savvy patient or advocate for a family member,” she adds. “It covers topics that we don’t often think about or openly discuss. It also serves as a reminder that good quality care is a two-way partnership and patients have a major role to play.”

Topics covered in Quest for Quality include:

• recognizing quality health care;
• where to find reliable information about health care quality;
• how to help prompt your doctor to do the right thing;
• why more care is not better care;
• how to make informed decisions about health care.

The television series is part of a broad community awareness initiative presented by WNED, ThinkBright and the P2 Collaborative of Western New York. All three programs produced to date (including Partnering With Your Doctor and Self-Management) will be compiled onto a DVD and thousands will be distributed throughout the community. The initiative also includes a comprehensive Web site; television public service announcements; and community events. The entire local effort is, in turn, part of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s national Aligning Forces for Quality initiative.

“MY HEALTH COUNTS! — one of the most visible elements of the overall national initiative — aims to actively engage each member of our community in an effort to lift the quality of health and healthcare,” says WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell, who also serves on the board of the local P2 Collaborative. “I am proud that public broadcasting is playing such an important role in connecting this important community initiative to people throughout our viewing area.”

Major funding for the series is provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, with additional funding from Catholic Health Systems, Atwal Eye Care Associates and The McGuire Group. Foundation support is provided by “Aligning Forces for Quality,” an initiative of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The John R. Oishei Foundation and The Robert J. Stransky Foundation.

For more information, visit thinkbright.org/myhealthcounts.