NACHC has been a leader in helping health centers transition from a system of care focused on the volume of patients seen (the “fee-for-service” model) to one focused on the value of care provided. Often, the conversation about value-based care has overlooked how practices improve or exacerbate health disparities. One way NACHC has sought to change that is through establishing the Quality Center.
NACHC’s Quality Center promotes system transformation and value-based care
NACHC established the Quality Center team to support health centers in delivering on the Quadruple Aim goals of:
- improved health outcomes
- improved patient experience
- improved staff experience
- reduced costs
Guiding our work on value-based care is the team behind NACHC’s Quality Center: Cheryl Modica, Luke Ertle, and Camila Silva. Cheryl is responsible for designing the Value Transformation Framework, a game-changing strategy for health centers that considers both population health and personalized health care practices.
Quality Center team receives “Outstanding Public Health Award”
Earlier this month, the Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA) recognized Cheryl, Luke, and Camila for their work with the Outstanding Public Health Award. The association noted that it made the award because of the Quality Center team’s “leadership and dedication to eliminating health disparities by providing creative solutions that foster improved public health outcomes.”
Through the Quality Center’s “Elevate” project, the team assists health centers with the work necessary to change their systems. The Value Transformation Framework breaks down the process into manageable steps. And Elevate offers a collaborative learning forum where more than 400 centers are currently learning from each other.
The Quality Center’s Cheryl Modica reacted to the award on behalf of her team:
“We appreciate the Maryland Public Health Association’s recognition of NACHC’s work intersecting public health and primary care and look forward to continuing to apply the Value Transformation Framework to advancing quality care for the 30 million patients served by health centers.”
In announcing the award, the Maryland Public Health Association described the Quality Center’s impact:
“Throughout the COVID-19 healthcare crisis, health centers have remained the backbone of our nation’s disjointed health care system. They need support and strategies to deliver better outcomes and better patient and staff experiences at lower costs and with less racial disparity (the “Quintuple Aim” of the framework). Cheryl and her team offer this help.”
The Quality Center team explains that the Quintuple Aim includes equity along with the Quadruple aim goals of improved health outcomes, improved patient experience, improved staff experience, reduced costs.