HOLYOKE/WORTHINGTON — The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded badges to a total of 27 federally qualified health centers in Massachusetts, two of which are in western Massachusetts.
The Hilltown Community Health Center (HCHC) and the Holyoke Health Center both earned the badges, which are awarded annually to health centers that have achieved quality improvements in health care access, clinical quality, health outcomes and health information technology.
Leaders of both organizations say the use of increased technology helped them gain the federal accolades. Both organizations have upgraded their databases to Epic within the past three years, which officials say has improved efficient filing, storage and access to patients’ medical records.
Founded in 1979, Epic Systems Corporation ranks as one of the largest electronic health record systems in the U.S., serving some 3,620 hospitals as of February, according to Definitive Healthcare.
Both regional community health care centers have also increased telehealth services for remote care — a huge step for HCHC, which was founded in 1950 and will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a celebration on Oct. 4.
But in the 1930s, before the center was founded, American Red Cross nurse Florence Bates traveled on horseback and used skis to bring primary care to the area — and now the residents in the hilltowns can get their primary care at home telehealth.
“It shows we’ve adapted,” said CEO Michael Purdy, who said that remote care and digital access to personal files has “decreased barriers” for offering rural health care, especially for those who cannot travel or are homebound.
Debbie DiStefano, chief people and compliance officer for HCHC, said the vitality of remote care also underscores the need for broadband in rural towns.
HCHC gives care to 9,000 patients a year at three locations. Outside of its home base in Worthington, the organization is also open in Huntington as the Huntington Health Center, and in Amherst at the John P. Musante Health Center. HCHC also runs a health center at Gateway Regional High School in Huntington.
In addition to being recognized for health information technology, Holyoke Health Center is being cited for its improvements to heart health offerings, including more resources for vascular diseases, high blood pressure, tobacco screening and cessation resources, said Megan Wechsler, chief quality officer.
HHC also received another badge for its work at improving health care access efficiency and examining community needs.
“This is a great opportunity to highlight the work of our team members and our commitment to increase access to quality health care,” said Wechsler, who added that HHC has grown into a “one-stop shop” for health resources in the city.
Part of that work included opening a behavioral health program and expanding its pharmacy in 2023.
This is the second time HHC, located at 230 Maple St., has received federal badges. Last year the community health center received recognition for information technology and quality improvements.