NORTH COAST, Calif. – In small communities like those in Lake and Mendocino counties, some people assume they need to go to out of town to receive top-quality health care, but according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, this is not the case – at least when it comes to care at MCHC Health Centers.

HRSA recently bestowed MCHC with a Silver Badge representing the health center’s standing as one of the top community health centers in the country.

The HRSA spokesperson said to MCHC and other awardees, “As a HRSA Health Center Quality Leader, you were among the top 30 percent of all HRSA-supported health centers that achieved the best overall clinical outcomes, demonstrating high-quality across clinical operations. Thank you for your commitment to providing quality primary health care services to your community.”

MCHC provides comprehensive services including medical and dental care, behavioral health care, preventative services, wellness care, acute and chronic care, obstetrics and women’s health services and, crucial to the wellbeing of its patients, case management.

MCHC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jerry Douglas said, “I think part of the reason we’re so successful is because we use a team approach. Each clinician or staff member contributes his or her particular expertise, so patients get the best from everybody.”

MCHC is a designated Patient-Centered Medical Home, which means the MCHC healthcare team collaborate with the patient in making healthcare decisions. By strengthening the relationship between patients and providers, MCHC is can prescribe treatment that best fits with a patient’s unique needs, culture, values and preferences.

“By combining our healthcare expertise with the patient’s knowledge about themselves and what will work best for them, we are able to work with patients to develop practical, workable solutions to their healthcare problems,” said MCHC Quality Improvement Director Dr. Jaisingh Niemer.

Dr. Niemer explained that MCHC continually strives to improve quality and meet the highest national standards. “We work with patients to help them meet their healthcare goals, supporting them along the way,” he said. Not only does MCHC help patients address existing health problems, it also encourages patients to be proactive about their care by reminding them to come in when it is time to get routine screenings and preventive care for chronic conditions.”

“The other thing that sets us apart from a big, metropolitan health center is the fact that the people who work here tend to live here, too. Our patients are members of our community. It’s more personal,” Dr. Douglas said.

MCHC is a local nonprofit organization providing access to comprehensive healthcare for people in Ukiah, Willits and Lakeport. All MCHC health centers accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California insurance and other insurance.

Learn more at www.mchcinc.org.