First Care Clinic
First Care Clinic, Hays, is proud to announce it has been recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) with six prestigious Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges, honoring the clinic’s commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care.
HRSA annually reviews the performance data of health centers across the United States to highlight organizations that meet or exceed its goals in categories of special focus, including quality, access, and health information technology, using data from the Uniform Data System (UDS). In August, HRSA awarded Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges for excellence in clinical quality to nearly 1,000 health centers across the country.
HRSA awarded First Care Clinic with the following badges:
Health Center Quality Leader – Gold Badge, which is awarded to health centers that rank among the top 10% of all centers nationwide in overall clinical quality performance. This prestigious recognition reflects excellence across a broad range of care measures, from chronic disease management to preventive services, and demonstrates a deep commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Earning the Gold Badge showcases First Care Clinic’s dedication to achieving outstanding outcomes and setting a standard of excellence in the community.
Heart Health, which recognizes health centers that demonstrate outstanding performance in clinical quality measures related to heart health, including screening patients for tobacco use and offering help to quit, preventing heart disease, using the proper medications to improve heart health, and helping patients control high blood pressure.
Diabetes Health, which recognizes health centers that demonstrate exceptional performance in caring for patients with diabetes. This award highlights organizations that meet or exceed key clinical quality measures, such as helping patients maintain healthy blood sugar levels through effective management, education, and support. It reflects First Care Clinic’s strong commitment to improving health outcomes, reducing complications, and empowering individuals to live healthier lives with diabetes.
Cancer Screening, which honors health centers that excel in providing timely and comprehensive cancer screenings for their patients. This recognition reflects a commitment to early detection and prevention by meeting or surpassing national targets for screenings such as cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer. It showcases the organization’s dedication to proactive care, improving survival rates, and promoting healthier communities through life-saving preventive services.
Preventative Health, which recognizes health centers that excel in delivering a wide range of preventive care services to help patients stay healthy and avoid serious illnesses. This distinction is awarded to organizations that meet or exceed national goals for screenings, immunizations, and other proactive health measures. It highlights a strong commitment to keeping communities well through early intervention, education, and comprehensive preventive care.
Improving Health Care Access, which recognizes health centers that have increased the total number of patients and the number of patients receiving comprehensive services – including mental health, substance use disorder, dental, and other services – by at least 5% between calendar year 2024 and 2025, the two most recent UDS reporting periods.
"Our mission at First Care Clinic is to provide access to compassionate, quality care for all. Anyone who has trusted their care to us has come to know that we live our mission every day,” said First Care Clinic CEO, Eric Flax.
“Being consistently recognized, year after year, for providing quality care to our patients is just one example of that commitment to our patients and the health of our community. We take pride in the work we do, and we consider it a privilege to meet the needs of our patients. At First Care Clinic, you get first class care," Flax said.
First Care Clinic remains committed to advancing healthcare quality, expanding access, and improving the overall health of the communities it serves.
“These recognitions from HRSA reflect more than just numbers on a report—they represent healthier patients, earlier detection of disease, and improved quality of life for the people we serve,” said Dr. Christine Fisher, medical director at First Care Clinic. “Our team’s commitment to evidence-based care, prevention, and patient education is at the heart of everything we do. These awards are proof that when we work together—with our patients and our community—we can truly make a difference.”
HRSA-funded health centers, which include First Care Clinic, provide comprehensive, whole-person primary health services at more than 16,000 service sites nationwide to 1 in 8 children, 1 in 5 rural residents, and 1 in 15 adults 65 and older. Information about badge recipients can be found on an online dashboard at hrsa.gov.
ABOUT FIRST CARE CLINIC
First Care Clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center, with over ninety employees across their three locations in Hays, providing services for people of all ages, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. They provide family medicine, express care, pharmaceutical, behavioral health, and family dentistry services.
First Care Clinic welcomes all patients and accepts all major insurances. A sliding fee scale discount is also available to those who qualify. Patients can request an appointment at firstcareclinic.com or by calling First Care Clinic at 785-621-4990.