SMITHVILLE, Miss. – Access Family Health Services is proud to announce that it has been recognized with six Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The recognition comes as community health centers across the nation celebrate National Health Center Week 2026, highlighting the vital role health centers play in providing high quality, affordable health care. HRSA's CHQR program recognizes health centers that demonstrate excellence in clinical quality, patient outcomes, access to care, and health information technology based on the most recent Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting year.
Access Family Health Services received the following six badges:
Health Center Quality Leader (Gold)
The Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge is awarded to health centers that rank among the nation's top performers in overall clinical quality measures and health outcomes. Gold-level recognition places a health center within the highest tier of awardees recognized by HRSA for exceptional quality performance.
National Quality Leader: Diabetes Health
This badge recognizes health centers that meet or exceed national benchmarks for diabetes-related clinical quality measures, demonstrating outstanding success in helping patients manage diabetes and improve health outcomes.
National Quality Leader: Heart Health
The National Quality Leader for Heart Health badge is awarded to health centers that meet or exceed national benchmarks for heart health measures, reflecting excellence in cardiovascular disease prevention and management, including factors such as hypertension control and related clinical outcomes.
National Quality Leader: Behavioral Health
This recognition is presented to health centers that meet or exceed national benchmarks in behavioral health quality measures, highlighting a strong commitment to integrating and delivering high-quality mental health and behavioral health services
Improving Health Care Access
The Improving Health Care Access badge recognizes health centers that have demonstrated significant success in expanding access to care and serving more patients, particularly in communities where affordable, comprehensive health services are critically needed.
Advancing Health Information Technology
This badge acknowledges health centers that effectively utilize electronic health records and health information technology tools to support quality improvement, patient care, population health management, and data-driven decision-making.
"Receiving six HRSA quality recognition badges is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the dedication of our providers, nurses, behavioral health professionals, pharmacists, support staff, and leadership team. These recognitions demonstrate our commitment to delivering exceptional care, improving health outcomes, expanding access, and embracing innovation to better serve the individuals and families who trust us with their health care needs."
Marilyn Sumerford, Executive Director
Access Family Health Services
National Health Center Week is an annual celebration recognizing the value of community health centers and their contributions to increasing access to high quality primary care across America. HRSA-funded health centers serve millions of patients nationwide and are recognized for their ongoing efforts to improve quality, outcomes, and access to care.
Access Family Health Services remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare services throughout the communities it serves and will continue working to ensure that every patient has access to the high-quality care they deserve.
About The Organization
Access Family Health Services is a community health center dedicated to providing comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and enabling services to patients throughout North Mississippi. Through a commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care, Access works every day to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves with service delivery sites in Smithville, Tupelo, Houlka, Nettleton, Tremont, Monroe County Schools (Hamilton, Hatley & Smithville), Nettleton Schools, Okolona Schools, Tremont Schools, Pontotoc County Schools (North & South Pontotoc), Pontotoc City Schools and a mobile health clinic.
Media Contact
Marilyn Sumerford
Executive Director
Access Family Health Services
Email: msumerford@accessfhs.com
Phone: (662) 315-2380