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Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center Receives Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 2017 Quality Improvement Award

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recognized Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center as a Health Center Quality Leader by awarding the organization with the 2017 Quality Improvement Award.  This award is given to health centers that achieve the best overall clinical performance among all health centers, and that place in the top 30 percent of the adjusted quartile ranking for Clinical Quality Measures.

Health centers have been delivering affordable, accessible, comprehensive, and quality health care to patients for more than 50 years.  There are currently over 1,400 health centers operating more than 11,000 service delivery sites in every state in the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Basin, delivering patient-centered care and integrating medical, dental, mental health, substance abuse, behavioral health, and patient support services.  This award ranks Kennedy CHC’s clinical performance at the top of the entirety of this network of health centers. 

Susan Melucci, Director of Quality Improvement, commented, “Improved quality outcomes do not happen because of one person; quality outcomes are a shared achievement among every staff member, no matter their role.  Our teams arrive every morning with energy, perseverance and a can-do attitude with the intention of making a difference however they can.  Our teams have been challenged in many ways – to improve our patient’s access to care, improve quality outcomes and identifying and addressing health disparities – all in an efficient and cost effective manner. Every evening, they leave having raised the bar a little bit higher.  We are so very proud to receive this award.“

For more information contact:
Paula Green, MPA, EdD
Vice President of Advancement
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
Paula.green@kennedychc.org
508.532.7305

The mission of Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) is to “help people live healthier lives.”   We believe that everyone has a right to accessible, high quality, comprehensive, integrated and compassionate health care. As a community health center, Kennedy CHC has always provided comprehensive care to its patients, who are at disparate risk for chronic disease and poor health outcomes. Our vision is to be a constantly growing, financially sound, Federally Qualified Community Health Center that:

• efficiently delivers high quality, accessible primary care services.
• becomes the health care home and provider choice of all our patients.
• achieves excellence in outcomes with our patients as partners.
• remains at the forefront of innovative health care practices.

Founded in a Worcester housing project in 1972, today Kennedy CHC has three medical facilities, three dental sites, two optometry practices and six school-based clinics serving residents of Worcester, Framingham, Clinton, Milford, and the surrounding communities of MetroWest and Central Massachusetts.  Currently over 26,000 patients of all ages receive care and service through Kennedy CHC’s family practice model of care, a comprehensive approach to the delivery of quality primary and urgent care, medical specialties, nutrition counseling, dental care, optometry, pharmacy, behavioral health, social services, health education and youth development programs. Kennedy CHC is certified as a patient-centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a  model that supports the flow of information among medical teams, coordinating health care visits, utilizing electronic technologies for tracking and errors prevention, and providing follow-up while, most importantly, engaging patients in their care. 

In 2017, 18.6% of Kennedy CHC’s patients resided in public housing, or 4,871 patients.  In 2017, according to the Health Resources and Services (HRSA) Administration Uniform Data System (UDS), 65% of Kennedy CHC’s reporting patient population were considered low income (using 200% or less of the federal poverty level) with 32.79% uninsured, 45.64% insured by MassHealth, 2.96% with other public insurance, 7.34% on Medicare and only 11.26% with private insurance.

Kennedy CHC serves a patient population that is ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse; 46.68% of Kennedy CHC’s patient population self-identify as Hispanic/Latino, and 75.66% of our patient population is best served in a language other than English, speaking a range of over 90 languages.  Our patient base is also racially diverse, serving 3.78% Asian, .39% Pacific Islander, 12.19% Black/African American, .01% American Indian/Alaska Native, 50.5% White, and 30.55% self-identify with more than one race.

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center EARNS national recognition for Patient-Centered Care

NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home™ standards emphasize enhanced care through
patient-clinician partnership

WASHINGTON, DC—The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced that the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, based in Worcester, Massachusetts has received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for all three of its medical sites for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships. 

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.

“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Kennedy CHC has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

To earn recognition, which is valid for three years, Kennedy CHC demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.

To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA PCMH Recognition, visit http://recognition.ncqa.org. 

About NCQA
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s Web site (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.

About the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center

The mission of Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) is to “help people live healthier lives.”   We believe that everyone has a right to accessible, high quality, comprehensive, integrated and compassionate health care. As a community health center, Kennedy CHC has always provided comprehensive care to its patients, who are at disparate risk for chronic disease and poor health outcomes. Founded in 1972, today Kennedy CHC has three medical facilities, three dental sites, two optometry practices and six school-based clinics serving residents of Worcester, Framingham, Clinton, Milford, and the surrounding communities of MetroWest and Central Massachusetts.  Currently over 26,000 patients of all ages receive care and service through Kennedy CHC’s family practice model of care.

Awardees:  Edward M. Augustus, Jr, Worcester City Manager, and Advocates
Event Speaker: MA Department of Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Monica Bharel

Worcester, MA (September 19, 2017)   The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) announces that it will present its 2017 Edward M. Community Health Awards to Mr. Edward M. Augustus, Jr, Worcester City Manager, and Advocates  on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at Mechanics Hall.  Dr. Monica Bharel, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, will be the keynote speaker.  Kennedy CHC annually hosts this awards program to recognize one individual and one organization making an impact on the health of our community.

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Augustus has worked in public service for more than 20 years and has been a strong supporter of community-based health.  He was appointed as the city manager of Worcester, Massachusetts in January 2014.  As a premiere organization based in Framingham, Massachusetts, Advocates partners with individuals, families, and communities to shape creative solutions to even the greatest life challenges envisioning communities in which every person has a full life, decent and affordable housing, meaningful work, satisfying relationships, and good health.

To learn about more about the awards program, please contact marketing@kennedychc.org

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center announces that it met or exceeded all federal requirements to operate as a community health center during its recently scheduled site visit from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).   HRSA is the federal agency charged with qualifying community health centers and ensuring quality care and equal access to health care for all individuals.  Qualifiers for HRSA during site visits to community health centers include reviewing 19 categories addressing issues such as financial stability, clinical quality, staffing, services provided, accessibility, and leadership, among others.  Kennedy CHC met or exceeded 19 out of 19 indicators, a status the organization also achieved during its last site visit in 2014.  Less than 300 community health organizations of the 1400 nationwide achieve this score. 

“The outstanding report we received from HRSA is a testament to the hard work of our administrative staff and clinical team and their dedication to the health and wellbeing of our over 26,000 patients.  I sincerely appreciate their commitment to our mission,” commented Antonia G. McGuire, President and CEO.  “I also want to acknowledge the strength of our Board of Directors and recognize their efforts in assisting Kennedy CHC achieve this tremendous success.”

Also this year, Kennedy CHC scored well during its Joint Commission visit continuing to hold full accreditation with this organization.  The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.   According to its website, Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization recently released its 10th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), reflecting a decade of progress in

LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare.  A record 590 healthcare facilities actively participated in the 2017 HEI survey, committing to LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices.  Of facilities surveyed for the HEI, the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) was named one of the 303 that earned HRC’s coveted “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation.  This is the third year in a row that Kennedy CHC has received this distinction.

“The 2017 HEI reminds us again that though we have made tremendous gains over the past decade, there is still much more work left for us to do. With some of our biggest battles still ahead of us, it is crucial that institutions continue to demonstrate that the march toward full equality is not slowing down,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The 590 participants in this year’s HEI continue this march in partnership with the LGBTQ community. For the past decade, the HEI has been the roadmap to closing

the gap in ensuring equal care to LGBTQ patients and their families, and we urge every healthcare facility to join us in this continuing effort to provide inclusive care to all.”

The 10th edition of the HEI includes new criteria that raises the bar on what it takes to earn HRC’s

“Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation. For the first time, HEI participants are awarded numerical scores for their implementation of LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices in four areas; LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ patient services and support, fully-inclusive employee benefits and policies, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. Participants receiving the maximum score in each section, for a total score of 100, earn the coveted status of “2017 Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.”

In the 2017 report, an impressive 303 facilities — 51 percent of those actively participating in the survey — met this year’s more challenging criteria to earn the Leader designation. Another 144 facilities earned a “Top Performer” designation for scoring between 80 and 95 points. With three quarters of

actively-participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, it is clear that healthcare facilities are going beyond the basics in adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care.

In addition to the positive scoring criteria, the 2017 HEI includes a fifth section focusing on responsible citizenship, and calling out activity that would undermine LGBTQ equality or inclusive patient care. Healthcare facilities may have 25 points deducted from their score for a large-scale official or public

anti-LGBTQ blemish on their recent records. This year, Johns Hopkins Hospital became the first and only facility to receive this deduction.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is education arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Kennedy CHC Presents its Annual Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Awards
Dr. Stephen Tosi, President, UMass Memorial Medical Gr oup to receive individual award MetroWest Health Foundation to receive organization award

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) announces that it will present the 2016 Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Award on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Mechanics Hall. Dr. Stephen Tosi, President of the UMass Memorial Medical Group, will be acknowledged for his leadership in strengthening the health care delivery system in the greater Worcester community. The MetroWest Health Foundation will be acknowledged for their efforts in being a catalyst for health and wellness in the communities they serve. Congressman James P. McGovern will be on hand for the awards event to share his thoughts on healthcare and this year’s awardees.

Kennedy CHC launched the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Award program last year in recognition of the 50^th Anniversary of Community Health Centers nationwide. The Award was established to recognize one individual and one organization making an impact on the health of our community.

Event sponsors include our Healthcare Champion: UMass Memorial Healthcare; Healthcare Trailblazers: Fallon Health, the Mass League of Community Health Centers; and Healthcare Friends: Alexander Aronson Finning, CPAs, Akuity, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Mirick O’Connell, Neighborhood Health Plan, Senior Whole Health and TD Bank. For information about the event contact marketing@kennedychc.org

 

 

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) announces that it was recently honored by The Joint Commission and the Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Primary Health Care as one of a select group of health centers nationally that have attained and maintained ambulatory care accreditation for over twenty years.  In addition, the Health Center’s President and CEO, Antonia McGuire and its COO, Leah Gallivan, were recognized for their significant contributions to accreditation and Patient Centered Medical Home Certification.

Kennedy CHC, with its flagship medical facility located in Worcester, is accredited by both The Joint Commission and HRSA, and is certified as a Level III Patient Centered Medical Home.  It serves over 27,000 patients in Central Massachusetts and MetroWest through three medical sites, two optometry practices, three dental sites and five school based health centers.

About The Joint Commission

An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

About HRSA

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving health and achieving health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce and innovative programs. HRSA’s programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) will be hosting its first ever 5K Walk and Health Fair on Saturday, June 4, 2016, sponsored by Neighborhood Health Plan.  The walk, entitled, “Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Kennedy CHC Walk for a Healthier Community,” will kick off with a welcome from City Manager, Ed Augustus and a patient testimonial at Kennedy CHC’s flagship medical facility located at 19 Tacoma Street in Worcester. Walkers will then proceed through Great Brook Valley, out onto East Mountain Street and back around to Tacoma Street.

The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness of and financial support for the work of Kennedy CHC, as well as draw attention to the needs of its patients, many of whom live in the public housing complex where the walk will take place.  This event will also help to remove the stigma of both the community health center movement and the patients it serves, most of who are low-income, under- and uninsured individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

During the walk, there will also be a health fair from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., featuring table exhibits and activities from community organizations including health and wellness information, face painting, giveaways and more.

What: Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Kennedy CHC Walk for a Healthier Community
5K Walk and Health Fair

When:  Saturday, June 4, 2016
Registration 8:30 a.m.
Health Fair and Kick Off 9:00 a.m.

Where:  19 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA

For information contact marketing@kennedychc.org

The Avidia Charitable Foundation recently donated $1,000 to the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center. Presenting the check from L-R: Kristin Costello, Clinton Branch Manager of Avidia Bank; Antonia G. McGuire, President and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center; Mark R. O’Connell, President & CEO of Avidia Bank. This donation is to help purchase a new autoclave for the dental clinic in Clinton.

Avidia Bank is a $1.2 billion mutual community bank, headquartered in Hudson, with branches in Hudson, Westborough, Clinton, Leominster, Marlborough, Northborough and Shrewsbury.

Kennedy CHC Highlighted in Healthcare Equality Index 2016

Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center Named as “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by National Survey

Worcester, MA –April 11, 2016 – The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.

The findings were part of HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index 2016, a unique annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBT Americans by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBT patients, visitors and employees.

Kennedy CHC earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients, and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.

Kennedy CHC is one of a select group of 496 healthcare facilities nationwide to be named Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality.  Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.

“Despite all the progress we’ve made, far too many LGBT people still lack inclusive and affirming healthcare.  Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality are helping to change that, and, in the process, making the lives of LGBT patients and their families better each and every day,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign.  “LGBT people have a right to be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates Kennedy CHC for its work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients.”

The Healthcare Equality Index offers healthcare facilities unique and powerful resources designed to help provide equal care to a long-overlooked group of patients, as well as assistance in complying with regulatory requirements and access to high-quality staff training.

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2016, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei.