Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Your Life Your Health - LESS Initiative: Response to Beaumont Enterprise Article on the Less Initiative
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James L. Holly,M.D.
March 08, 2005
The Beaumont Enterprise
Letters to the Editor

The healthcare providers and staff of Southeast Texas Medical Associates (SETMA) wish to thank Enterprise Health Affairs writer Ms. Becky Bowman for her piece on SETMA's LESS Initiative. The positive benefits of this program far outweigh the "threat" of firing a patient who refuses to quit smoking. One patient, seen a month ago, called to say, "After receiving the weight management assessment, exercise prescription and smoking cessation materials at SETMA, I have been watching what I eat, walking and making more health-conscience decisions. I feel better that I have ever felt and have really enjoyed reading all the information that was given to me at my her visit. In only a month, I have noticed a change and I am excited about the future."

This testimonial could be repeated dozens of times. In January alone, almost 6,000 patients were confronted with their need to lose weight, exercise and stop smoking and/or avoid the fumes from others smoking around them. In the past three months, only one patient has been "fired" from the practice after announcing, "I don't care how much it is hurting my health, I don't intend to quit." SETMA daily audits the LESS Initiative program and regularly achieves a 98% or higher compliance with the use of this program by SETMA's healthcare providers.

SETMA's Diabetes Screening program, Pre-Hypertension treatment program, Metabolism Clinic, Weight Management program and other disease management tools are all founded on the principles of the LESS Initiative. Thank you for highlighting the availability of this program in Southeast Texas.

Sincerely yours,



James L. Holly, MD CEO, SETMA, LLP
www.jameslhollymd.com

Just thought you would like to hear a good word from a patient that is following the LESS program.