ST. LOUIS, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), in collaboration with the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare, today recognized 13 physicians as part of its first annual Physician Summit Award program. The program acknowledges the extraordinary efforts these physicians make to provide quality care and clinical excellence to Centene's health plan members.

"Centene is proud to recognize these physicians for the outstanding service and quality of care they provide to our members nationwide," said Mary Mason, M.D., Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for Centene. "Our top priority is to offer the best possible care to our members. We realize that we could not do that without strong partnerships with our contracted physicians. This award is just one way we can say thank you to these doctors for their ongoing dedication."

"We are pleased to collaborate in this effort and recognize the commitment of these physicians in improving the quality, accessibility and coordination of services for plan members," said Kathy Bradley-Wells, President, Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare. "This increases the ability for members to be actively involved in their healthcare."

The Physician Summit Award honorees are primary care physicians who, compared to their peers, have demonstrated exemplary performance in the following areas: follow up after emergency room visits, routine preventive and well care services for both adults and children, and establishing a medical home for new enrollees. They will receive an engraved plaque and a catered lunch for their office staff. In addition, they will be recognized on Centene and its health plans' websites, as well as in their provider newsletters and other materials.

    Following are the 2008 Physician Summit Award winners:

    Buckeye Community Health Plan-Ohio:

    Eva Hansen, M.D.
    Pediatric Center, Inc.

    Managed Health Services-Indiana:

    Lora Mangus, MD
    Indiana Health Centers, Inc

    Debra McDaniel, MD
    Southern Indiana Pediatrics

    Leticia Chy Koa, MD

    Managed Health Services-Wisconsin:

    Emilia Arana, MD
    16th Street Clinic

    Francisco J. Enriquez, MD
    16th Street Clinic

    Lucia Roman Marcial, MD
    16th Street Clinic

    Peach State Health Plan-Georgia:

    Dr. Donna Yeiser, MD
    West Georgia Pediatric Partners

    Nelson Madrazo, MD
    Sumter Pediatrics

    Jose Rios, MD

    Superior HealthPlan-Texas:

    Abigail R. Barrera, MD

    Joseph Segapeli, MD
    El Paso Pediatric Associates

    University Health Plans-New Jersey:

    Ramamlakshm Yerramilli, MD
    Livingston Pediatrics

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Company operates health plans in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, long-term care, managed vision, nurse triage, pharmacy benefits management and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at http://www.centene.com.

About The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare

The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare in the United States. The Foundation serves as a resource to identify and support innovative approaches to improving and increasing the quality of and access to healthcare for low-income individuals and families. This is accomplished through an inspired philanthropic giving plan that seeks to promote efforts and activities that identify and address core causes of unequal access and treatment in healthcare. For additional information, please visit http://www.centenefoundation.org.

SOURCE Centene Corporation