Centene Corporation Honors Outstanding Physicians and Practitioners for 2010

ST. LOUIS, May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a national leader in Healthcare solutions today announced the recipients of its 2010 Summit Awards for Excellence In Care.  The Summit Awards are given each year to Physicians, Practitioners and Obstetricians for providing clinical excellence.  There are two award categories, one for Obstetrics and one for Primary Care.

"These honors underscore Centene's distinction as a physician driven company, providing quality care to our health plan members," said Michael Neidorff, Centene Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The Primary Care Practitioners are selected for exemplary performance in several areas, including follow up after emergency room visits and routine preventive and well care services for adults and children.  

Following are the 2010 Summit Award winners (Non-OB):
Bridgeway Health Solutions (Arizona)
	- Marian Diamond, FNP
Peach State Health Plan (Georgia)
	-Renee Renfus, M.D. - Atlanta Region
	- Josephine Dunagan, M.D.-Atlanta Region
	-Aaron Goldberg, M.D. Atlanta Region
Managed Health Services (Indiana)
	- William Crecelius, M.D. - South Region
	- Binod Balakrishnan, M.D. - North Region
	- Sharon Gilliland, M.D. - Central Region
Buckeye Community Health Plan (Ohio)
	- Metro Health Medical Center Family Practice - NE Region
	- Kimberly L Dillon, M.D. - NW Region
Absolute Total Care (South Carolina)
	- Tri County Pediatrics
Superior Health Plan (Texas)
	- Juan Aguilera, M.D. - Hidalgo Region
	- Edward Borchard, M.D. - Corpus Christi Region
	- Sandra Thomas, M.D. - Burnet Region
	- Luis Arandia-Antelo, M.D. - Lubbock Region
	- Maria Aguirre, M.D. - San Antonio Region
Managed Health Services (Wisconsin)
	- Sergio Casaclang, M.D.

"The OB category recognizes the extraordinary efforts in providing high quality obstetric care to all of  our members," explained  Dr. Mary Mason,  Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. "Feedback from the members and their case managers helped determine the winners."

The individual criteria included risk-adjusted cesarean delivery rates, participation in the notification of pregnancy process and utilization of 17P, a weekly steroid injection to prevent premature birth in certain high risk women.

"The Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine supports activities that help elevate the level of quality and safety in obstetric care for the Medicaid patient," added Dr. Daniel O'Keefe, Executive Vice-President, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and long-term care, in addition to other state-sponsored programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique "exchange-based" and other cost-effective coverage solutions for low-income populations. The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits management. More information regarding Centene is available at www.centene.com.

SOURCE Centene Corporation