Rhode Island Health Centers Recognized for Clinical Quality Excellence

On November 7, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), honored community health centers that have attained excellence in overall clinical quality performance. All of Rhode Island’s health centers received a Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badge. Wood River Health, WellOne, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, and Providence Community Health Centers each earned a Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge, placing them at the top 10 percent of the nation’s health centers for their achievements in improving health outcomes and providing high-quality care for their patients. Comprehensive Community Action Program and Tri-County Community Action Agency both earned Bronze badges, placing them in the top 20-30 percent of all health centers in the country.

East Bay Community Action Program and Thundermist Health Services were recognized for their efforts in advancing Health Information Technology. Thundermist also earned high honors for their work in addressing social risk factors to health.

The state’s eight community health centers provide care to over 200,000 patients. “Rhode Islanders should be proud of the very high quality of care that community health centers provide to anyone, regardless of a person’s insurance status or their ability to pay,” said Elena Nicolella, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association (RIHCA). “These awards recognize the health centers’ hard work and achievements in improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities across our state.”

RIHCA proudly supports our member community health centers. They are a cornerstone of our state’s health care system, especially for individuals and families who are uninsured; enrolled in Medicaid; living in rural, or remote areas; struggling to afford their health insurance co-pays; experiencing homelessness; residing in public housing; or otherwise having difficulty finding a doctor or paying for the cost of care.

For information on 2023 CHQR badge recipients by national, state, or individual health center levels, visit:  Community Health Quality Recognition Dashboard (hrsa.gov)

Learn more about Rhode Island’s community health centers at Rhode Island Health Center Association | Helping You Find Care (rihca.org)