The Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute has announced that endocrinologist Carrie Bagatell, MD, received the highest level of certification from the Bridges to Excellence Program for demonstrating superior levels of diabetes care to her patients.

Millions of Americans currently have some form of diabetes, and millions more cases are undiagnosed. To encourage more effective treatment and management, the program works with diabetes experts to develop measures to assess and recognize superior clinician performance.

These measures address a broad range of issues affecting patient health and wellness. To earn recognition, clinicians must meet benchmarks on measures such as; blood pressure, LDL levels, HgBA1c levels, ophthalmologic and podiatry exams and nephropathy.

Those who earn recognition will improve overall patient health and well-being, while reducing the risk of potentially avoidable complications.

Dr. Bagatell has been on Highline Medical Center's Medical Staff since 1994 and has been practicing medicine for 26 years. She is board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology at Three Tree Internal Medicine in Burien.

To contact Dr. Bagatell, call Three Tree Internal Medicine at 206-242-7900.

For more information on the Bridges to Excellence Program visit www.bridgestoexcellence.org and for more information about Highline Medical Center visit www.highlinemedicalcenter.org.