APLA Health Receives Four HRSA Quality Improvement Awards
Recognized as a Gold-Level Health Center Quality Leader
Media Contact:
Alex Medina
213.201.1521 (o)
213.443.6518 (c)
amedina@apla.org
For Immediate Release
August 27, 2020 – On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced APLA Health had received four Quality Improvement Awards for its work as a federally qualified health center. In addition to two new awards and PCMH recognition, APLA Health received a Gold-Level Health Center Quality Leader award for the second year in a row. The Gold-Level Health Center Quality Leader award is only awarded to the top 10 percent of health centers in the country, territories and Washington, D.C.
The Quality Improvement Awards (QIA) recognize the highest performing health centers nationwide and health centers that have made significant quality improvement gains from the previous year.
“These awards recognize the hard work the APLA Health staff puts in day-after-day to provide the best possible care for our community. Our staff earned this award with their commitment to learning the skills and knowledge needed to provide exceptional care and support,” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “Everyone who walks through our doors is greeted not just by friendly and well-trained staff, but with compassion and ingenuity. As we continue to work hard and address the health disparities that still exist, these awards are a testament to our staff’s passion.”
APLA Health received awards for:
- Gold-Level Health Center Quality Leader –Achieved the best overall clinical performance among all health centers. Received by 9.82 percent of health centers nationwide.
- Health Disparities Reducer –Health centers that met or exceeded the Healthy People 2020 goals, or made at least a 10 percent improvement across different racial/ethnic groups. Received by 21.88 percent of health centers nationwide.
- Access Enhancer –Health centers that increased number of patients served and number of patients with access to comprehensive services. Received by 24.62 percent of health centers nationwide.
- Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition –Health centers with PCMH in one or more delivery sites. Received by 77.69 percent of health centers nationwide.
In total, HRSA announced quality improvement awards to 1,318 health centers across all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia.
ABOUT APLA HEALTH: APLA Health’s mission is to achieve healthcare equity and promote well-being for the LGBT and other underserved communities and people living with and affected by HIV. We remain committed to ending the epidemic in our lifetime. We are a nonprofit, federally qualified health center serving more than 18,000 people annually. We provide 20 different services at 20 locations throughout Los Angeles County, including: medical, dental, behavioral health and HIV care; PrEP counseling and management; health education and HIV prevention; and STD screening and treatment. For people living with HIV, we offer housing support; benefits counseling; home healthcare; and the Vance North Necessities of Life Program food pantries; among several other critically needed services. Additionally, we are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation that positively impacts the LGBT and HIV communities and conduct community-based research on issues affecting the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us at aplahealth.org.
