FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — East Texas Community Health Services, Inc. (ETCHSI) has earned five 2026 Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges, recognizing the health center’s commitment to improving healthcare quality, expanding access to services and achieving strong health outcomes for the more than 13,000 people it serves each year across East Texas.
“These national quality badges are a testament to the outstanding work of our entire team. East Texas Community Health Services has quietly delivered nationally recognized healthcare in our rural communities for decades. We may be the best kept secret in East Texas, but these awards demonstrate that the quality of care available here rivals the very best in the nation. We are proud to serve our communities and remain committed to improving the health of every patient we reach.”
- Anita Humphreys, CEO
The Community Health Quality Recognition program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Bureau of Primary Health Care. The annual awards recognize Health Center Program organizations that demonstrate notable achievements in areas including access, clinical quality, health outcomes and the use of health information technology.
By bringing pharmacy services directly into the health center, ETCHSI is working to remove some of those barriers and make it easier for patients to receive the medications and support they need.
The 2026 awards are based on healthcare quality and performance data reported through the 2025 Uniform Data System (UDS).
National Quality Leader in Behavioral Health
ETCHSI was recognized as a National Quality Leader in Behavioral Health, a distinction reserved for health centers meeting or exceeding national performance targets in key behavioral health measures.
The recognition reflects ETCHSI’s commitment to integrating behavioral health into comprehensive primary care and ensuring patients have access to screening, intervention and continued support.
National Quality Leader in Diabetes Health
ETCHSI also earned the National Quality Leader – Diabetes Health badge for performance in measures related to diabetes care and healthy weight management.
The recognition is especially meaningful to ETCHSI because chronic disease prevention, education and management are central parts of the organization’s mission. ETCHSI provides diabetes education and participates in national initiatives designed to reduce the impact of chronic disease and help patients take an active role in managing their health.
Preventive Health
ETCHSI’s Preventive Health badge recognizes strong performance across a broad range of preventive care measures.
Preventive care plays an important role in identifying health concerns earlier, reducing the risk of serious disease and helping patients maintain better health throughout their lives.
Improving Health Care Access
The Improving Health Care Access badge recognizes health centers that not only demonstrate strong clinical quality but also make measurable progress in expanding access to care.
For ETCHSI, the award represents more than growth in patient numbers. It demonstrates progress toward the organization’s mission of reaching East Texans who may otherwise face financial, geographic or other barriers to receiving healthcare.
Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality
ETCHSI also received the Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality badge, recognizing the organization’s effective use of technology to improve patient care.
These capabilities help healthcare teams coordinate care, improve communication and better understand the needs of the patients and communities they serve.
Why These Recognitions Matter
For patients and the East Texas community, ETCHSI’s five 2026 recognitions provide an independent measure of the work being done locally to improve access to healthcare, prevent disease, manage chronic conditions, strengthen behavioral health services and use technology to deliver more coordinated, patient-centered care.
Together, the awards demonstrate that high-quality healthcare does not have to be limited by a patient’s income, insurance status or ZIP code.
About East Texas Community Health Services, Inc.
East Texas Community Health Services, Inc. is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center dedicated to providing timely, affordable, and comprehensive healthcare to individuals and families throughout East Texas. With special attention to underserved and uninsured populations, ETCHSI provides medical, dental, behavioral health, preventive, and supportive healthcare services through a patient-centered model of care.
ETCHSI accepts patients with Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance and offers a sliding-fee discount program based on household income and family size for qualifying patients who are uninsured or underinsured.
For additional information about ETCHSI services, locations and patient resources, visit www.etchc.com.