WHCHC receives national recognition

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) recently named the West Hawaii Community Health Center a national 2020 Health Center Quality Leader award recipient. This recognition ranks the West Hawaii Community Health Center among the top 30% of health centers in the nation for best overall clinical performance.

The purpose and impact of HRSA’s Quality Improvement Awards include recognizing health centers delivering affordable, accessible, quality, and cost effective health care services and increasing the access to health care services, achieving health equity and enhancing population health.

The Health Resources & Services Administration and West Hawaii Community Health Center share the same vision: Healthy Communities, Healthy People accomplished by increasing access to care, advancing quality and impact and optimizing operations.

“The West Hawaii Community Health Center is indeed honored to be recognized among the best health centers in the nation. We will continue to work towards improving our community’s health and reaching out to underserved communities and vulnerable populations at risk,” said West Hawaii Community Health Center CEO Richard Taaffe.

The West Hawaii Community Health Center received cash awards of $118,000 and was recognized in four categories including Clinical Quality Improvers, Health Center Quality Leaders, Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality and Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition. West Hawaii Community Health Center will use its cash award to strengthen quality improvement and increasing data integrity staff.

West Hawaii Community Health Center opened in 2005 and currently serves over 18,000 patients with offices in Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua, Kealakehe and Waikoloa Village.