Springfield Medical Care Systems receives leadership grant

Springfield Medical Care Systems was recently awarded $133,958 in Affordable Care Act funding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  In late January, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced the grant funding to recognize health center quality achievements and to invest in ongoing quality improvement activities.

“These funds reward and support those health centers that have taken steps to achieve the highest levels of clinical quality performance and improvement,” said Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, a division of HHS.

SMCS is the only health center in Vermont and one of only 57 recipients nationwide to earn the National Quality Leader designation announced by HHS for exceeding national clinical benchmarks based on the Healthy People 2020 objectives and health center national averages.

“SMCS is constantly working to maintain high quality clinical performance,” commented Timothy Ford, president and chief executive officer of SMCS. “We are proud to be among the top 30 percent of all health centers nationally that achieved a Health Center Quality Leader award for best overall clinical outcomes and to be recognized for our ability to focus on quality in all aspects of clinical operations.”

Ford continued, “This award recognizes the ongoing work and dedication of Bob DeMarco, chief of quality and systems improvement, Cecil “Chip” Beehler, MD, medical staff quality officer, and our clinical and administrative staffs throughout our community health center network in providing high quality care to our patients. We are pleased to accept this award on their behalf.”