Eating Disorders & Health Matters in the News
January 2007
Avalon Centers Becomes a Provider for Devon Insurance
-Covering More Than 3 million Lives-
Devon Health Services, Inc. began as a radiology-specific Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) in 1991, and in four years transformed into an all-inclusive regional PPO in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Devon Health provided network services to third-party administrators, insurance companies, unions, and other self-funded payors and, even early on, competed with national networks and insurance carriers.
Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) Has Added Avalon Centers As A New Provider
PHCS is the national primary PPO network and care management product line of MultiPlan. For more information on MultiPlan's entire suite of solutions, please visit www.multiplan.com.
The PHCS Network is the largest proprietary preferred provider organization (PPO) network in the country. With nearly 450,000 providers and over 4,000 facilities in their Network, health plan members have access to a quality network of providers wherever they may be. As a proprietary network, PHCS contracts directly with every provider participating in their Network, allowing PHCS to deliver seamless network services and reduced costs for customers and their health plan members. PHCS performs rigorous credentialing for providers in the Network to ensure that they meet their quality standards. They also boast a high network retention rate due to improved provider satisfaction, so members can be confident that once they select a participating physician, that doctor will remain available through their health plan.
Avalon Centers is proud to be part of the Private Healthcare System (PHCS) network.
December 2006
Avalon Centers Web Site Offers Conversational Blog
Elizabeth Myers, a nutritionist with Avalon Centers, offers dialogue with anyone interested in learning more about eating disorders, nutrition, obesity and treatment options through a new blog located on the Avalon web site. The user is encouraged to ask questions knowing that a professional member of the Avalon treatment team is prepared to respond within 24 hours
For more information, go to www.avalon-centers.com. Let us know what you think of our blog.
December 2006
Avalon Staff Appear on CBS Radio
Several members of the Avalon Centers staff appeared on Spotlight on Health, hosted by Tom McNulty and produced by radio veteran, Bob Hill at CBS Radio. The show focused on eating disorders and the stressors of the holiday season. Elizabeth Myers, director of nutritional business development at Avalon Centers, addressed concerns of parents with college-age students who are returning home from an environment where eating disorders has a very high incidence. The show was very well received and copies are available by calling Elizabeth at (716) 839-0999.
December 2006
Helping People With Eating Disorders Survive the Holidays
-What Parents, Relatives and Friends Need to Know-
The holidays are packed with lots of activities, shopping, parties, and food preparation. Relatives come from far away places and we take time to treasure those who are close to us. For most people, Christmas, holidays and the New Year are times of joy and laughter. For those who struggle with an eating disorder, the holiday period can be extremely stressful and dangerous. Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by a preoccupation with food, weight and body image – some of the same factors associated with holiday eating for almost anyone. Bulimia is another form of an eating disorder associated with purging behaviors. Both of these conditions are increasingly common among young females, athletes, college students and a growing number of older adults. For many, the eating disorder is accompanied by feelings of loneliness, isolation, rejection and depression, while others may also turn to alcohol and drugs to deal with their pain.
Avalon Centers offers immediate evaluations for adolescents and adults with eating disordered behaviors, including overeating and obesity. Avalon opened its doors in 1999 to offer local treatment options to those who wished to remain in the community; however, people have sought their treatment from all across the United States and Canada. Programs and support groups are available through the outpatient services and a partial hospitalization option is designed to provide a more intensive level of care in a home-like environment.
The staff at Avalon Centers recommends that people acknowledge the difficulties that may arise around eating with the family. In addition, talk with loved ones ahead of the meal times, identify someone you can talk to when things get stressful, try and be flexible and enjoy the intent of the family gatherings. For parents and concerned friends, be aware of more severe behaviors such as, unhealthy weights, fainting spells, too much time in the restrooms, layers of clothing, bingeing and fasting behaviors, and depressive moods. “Returning college students and their families are often confronted with the reality of an eating disorder. We encourage them to get help as soon as possible. Many take a semester off to get well and return to college in much better physical and emotional health,” stated Jayne S. Haley, R.N., executive director at Avalon Centers.
For more information or to schedule a presentation to your group, contact Avalon Centers at (716) 839-0999 or on the web at www.avalon-centers.com. The National Association of Eating Disorders also offers information on eating disorders at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.
Avalon Centers Offers Free Information Sessions on Eating Disorders
-Friends, Family Members, Spouses, Teachers and Others Encouraged to Attend-
Avalon Centers is offering free information sessions for those interested in learning more about eating disorders, treatment options and how to get help for a friend or loved one. The sessions will be hosted by the professional staff at Avalon Centers – a partial hospitalization program for adolescents and adults with eating disorders.
When: Weeknights – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Avalon Centers 346 Harris Hill Road – Williamsville, New York & in Orchard Park at Chestnut Ridge Family Practice
Cost: FREE
Call: (716) 839-0999 for details and confidential registration
Web: www.avalon-centers.com
June 2006
Avalon Centers and Suburban Psychiatric Associates Sign Agreement
Avalon Centers is pleased to announce that Suburban Psychiatric Associates has signed an agreement with the region’s only provider of partial hospitalization services for adolescents and adults with eating disorders.
Avalon Centers has provided treatment for hundreds of adolescents and adults suffering with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders and other atypical eating disorders since 1997.
The agreement was negotiated by Avalon Centers’ marketing and management consultant, Thomas P. McNulty of Success Stories, Inc. “Avalon Centers is very excited about the new agreement as it brings the depth of Suburban Psychiatric Associates’ behavioral health expertise to the program and the patients. They have an outstanding regional reputation,” McNulty stated. Drs. Maria Cartegena and Maria Nickolova will provide the on-site psychiatric consultative services – with support from Dr. Andrew Reichert and Dr. Christopher Martin.
Suburban Psychiatric Associates is a private practice of psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatric support staff located in Williamsville, New York.
Avalon Centers is the region’s only partial hospitalization program specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. Many of the patients treated at Avalon Centers are from across the United States and Canada. The Office of Mental Health licenses the Center. Jayne S. Haley, R.N. is the executive director. For more information, call (716) 839-0999 or visit the web at: www.avalon-centers.com.
Aetna Adds Avalon Centers to its Provider Network
Avalon Centers is pleased to announce that Aetna has signed a contract with Avalon to provide eating disorders services at its partial hospitalization program in Williamsville, New York.
Avalon Centers treats patients from throughout the United States. The Aetna agreement covers patients from across the country.
