WNCCHS McDowell Health Center won the McDowell Chamber of Commerce’s Community Impact Award in March 2024.

Impact & Performance

Western North Carolina Community Health Services knows that high-quality health care is much more than a diagnosis or a prescription. Our staff is passionate about high-quality, whole-person care, and we are relentlessly pursuing ways to improve your health through community partnerships, ongoing assessments of our processes, and listening to how our patients feel about the services we offer.

Recognitions

NCQA PCMH Recognition

Since 2016, WNCCHS has been recognized by the NCQA as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and others.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assessing and reporting on the quality of managed care plans, managed behavioral healthcare organizations, preferred provider organizations, new health plans, physician organizations, credentials verification organizations, disease management programs and other health-related programs.

“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 Western North Carolina Community Health Services has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care at the right time.”

Human Rights Campaign
Healthcare Equality Index

WNCCHS is proud to be recognized as an "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader" by the Human Rights Campaign's Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). This designation is awarded to health care facilities that achieve a top score of 100 by meeting stringent criteria related to non-discrimination policies, staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement.

The HEI is a national benchmarking tool that evaluates health care facilities' policies and practices dedicated to the equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees. In its 16th edition, the HEI assessed nearly 2,400 healthcare facilities across the United States. In 2024, 384 facilities achieved the top score and earned the "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader" designation, including WNCCHS.

The HEI aims to improve healthcare access and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing barriers and discrimination that many face in health care settings.

HRSA Community Health Quality Recognition

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badges recognize Health Center Program awardees, such as WNCCHS, that have made notable quality improvement achievements for the most recent UDS reporting period. For the 2023 reporting year, WNCCHS received the Bronze Health Center Quality Leader Badge, which indicates top 21-30% best overall clinical quality measure performance among all health centers.

FSHCAA FTCA Deemed Status

This entity receives HRSA Health Center Program grant funding under 42 U.S.C. § 254b and has been deemed a Public Health Service employee for purposes of certain liability protections, including Federal Tort Claims Act coverage, under 42 U.S.C. § 233(g)-(n).

HRSA Other CQHR Badges

WNCCHS is honored to have received multiple Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) over the years. These badges showcase our dedication to improving access, quality, equity, and the use of health information technology in health care.

In 2024 and 2023, WNCCHS received the Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality badge. This award recognizes health centers who implements an electronic health record (EHR) system, offer telehealth services, engage patients through health IT, and collect data on patient social risk factors to better understand and address their needs.

In 2024 and 2022, we were awarded the Addressing Social Risk Factors badge. This badge is given to health centers that collect data on patient social risk factors and increase the percentage of patients receiving enabling services. We also received the HRSA Access Enhancer badge in 2022, which recognizes health centers that either achieve other quality leader badges, show significant improvement in clinical quality measures, or increase the number of patients receiving comprehensive services, such as mental health, substance use disorder, vision, dental, or enabling services.

Mountain Xpress Best of WNC

For nine years in a row, Mountain Xpress readers have voted WNCCHS as first place in the category of “Health & Wellness: Place to Get Medical Care When Under- or Uninsured.”

Community Impact Award

WNCCHS—McDowell Health Center won the McDowell Chamber of Commerce’s Community Impact Award in March 2024. We were recognized for providing the community and school system with important health care and behavioral health services.

Clinical Quality Performance

(Year-to-Date as of Sept. 2024)

  • Controlling High Blood Pressure

    72% of our patients with a hypertension diagnosis had their blood pressure in a healthy range.

  • Diabetes

    67% of our patients with a diabetes diagnosis had their A1c in control.

  • Cervical Cancer Screenings

    62% of our patients who were due for a cervical cancer screening received one.

  • Colorectal Cancer Screenings

    42% of our patients who were due for a colorectal cancer screening received one.

  • Perinatal Care

    Of the 76% of prenatal patients who entered into care in their first trimester, only 4% of delivered babies were considered low birthweight.

  • HIV Screenings

    66% of our patients who were eligible for an HIV screening received one.

  • Breast Cancer Screening

    55% of our patients who were due for a breast cancer screenings received one.

  • Dental Sealants for Children

    93% of children between the ages of 6-9 received preventative dental sealants.

“I am so glad I was referred to Minnie Jones Behavioral Health. They are helping me change, turn my life around, and get my life back on track .… I truly appreciate it.”
“I am extremely glad I found this clinic. I do consider this my medical home. The doctors and staff are great and you can tell they care about their patients. ”
“I am so grateful to be a patient at Minnie Jones. I have had other doctors at many places and when I get back to Minnie Jones, I always feel like I’m back home…A home that provides the best care in NC!”
“Outstanding staff.. friendly, kind, very receptive to any concerns. Been a patient for over a decade... thank you for all you do.”

Patient Feedback

“I would like to give my full appreciation to all the very wonderful people who are doing so much, and giving themselves daily to care, and help of others like myself. I truly appreciate you all.”
“I have ALWAYS had excellent experiences and care from WNCCHS! Always! I could not ask for a better facility for my medical needs.”
“I have received, by far, the most comfortable and high quality healthcare here compared to anywhere else I have ever visited in my life. I will definitely be coming back here for all of my future healthcare needs, and I am very appreciative of this community health center.”
“WNCCHS is an outstanding healthcare provider. From the front desk to the nurses to the doctors to the pharmacist to the billing department to the person who greets you in the hallway. I have been consistently pleased with my family’s service and feel so lucky that WNCCHS is here, helping our community ”
“ I’m so glad these services are available to me. My life has really improved since I have started therapy.”
“My dental health has improved since becoming a patient. I am grateful for all my dental cleanings. I deeply appreciate everyone and all the staff. Everyone is always friendly. Thank you all for making medical and dental care experiences a positive experience. ”
“I’m very appreciative to have been introduced to your medical staff and the many services provided. I hadn’t been to a doctor in over 10 years and I was very nervous but the staff were wonderful, so immediately I was at ease. ”
“Thank you for everything you do to improve the heath and quality of life for so many people! ”
“I have been seeing the doctors at this establishment since 1978. I have followed them everywhere they go, whatever building they are in I go to. They take very good care of me and always have — thank you so much.”
“Urgent care dental was needed, first-rate care provided. So grateful to receive affordable services. Love your staff, helpful and kind.”

Community Partners

We could not do the work in helping the underserved in Buncombe and McDowell counties to access needed health care services without our vital network of community partnerships.