LYNN – Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC) has been recognized for high quality-improvements across patient access and technology.
This year, LCHC was given three Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The badges include Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality, National Quality Leader for Heart Health, and Improving Healthcare Access.
LCHC has earned the Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality badge since 2021. Its criteria include offering telehealth services, exchanging clinical information online with key providers’ health care settings, engaging patients through health information technology, and collecting data on patient’s health related needs.
However, LCHC’s National Quality Leader for Heart Health and Improving Healthcare Access badges are new achievements this year.
When it comes to earning the National Quality Leader (NQL) for Heart Health badge, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) must place at the 80th percentile or above for three out of four of the following measure targets:
- Tobacco use: screening and cessation intervention
- Ischemic Vascular Disease (IVD): use of aspirin or another antiplatelet
- Statin therapy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease
- Controlling High Blood Pressure (hypertension control)
LCHC has met the requirements for tobacco use, IVD, and cardiovascular disease in 2025. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Geoff Pechinsky explained what tools and methods LCHC uses to achieve these goals.
“For tobacco use, the teams and providers recognize that if somebody wants to quit smoking, they use motivational interviewing to offer them reasons to quit, and to help them achieve this,” Dr. Pechinsky said.
“With cardiovascular disease, it’s about access. The patients who need to get in are getting in. If someone has a history of heart disease, they’re getting regular followups,” he added.
He continued, “As for IVD, it goes beyond prescribing the medication, as we also help with refills and adjustments.”
Dr. Pechinsky said that LCHC is “continuing to improve” with its high blood pressure control measures. These include remote blood pressure monitoring programs that allow for quicker provider intervention and a mentorship for Lynn high school students that involves teaching them how to check blood pressure at home.
LCHC also uses initiatives around re-checking blood pressure consistently, as the numbers often stabilize at the end of a patient’s visit.
“We don’t want to over-treat high blood pressure. We start medication when it’s appropriate, track it carefully, and bring people back when necessary,” Dr. Pechinsky said.
As for the Improving Healthcare Access badge, LCHC achieved it this year by increasing the amount of patients who receive care by five percent.
“It’s increasing the number of patients we serve, as well as showing quality care,” Dr. Pechinsky said of the achievement.
