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AUG 18, 2026– Thunder Bay Community Health Service (TBCHS) has been awarded six 2026 Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), recognizing the organization’s quality performance and patient care outcomes during 2025. Thunder Bay received more CHQR badges than any other health center in Michigan.
Among the honors received was the prestigious Gold Quality Award, which recognizes health centers performing in the top 10 percent nationally for overall clinical quality measures. Thunder Bay was one of only four health centers in Michigan to earn this distinction.
In addition to the Gold Quality Award, TBCHS received recognition in the following categories:
– Preventive Health Award
– Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) Award
– Diabetes Health Award
– Heart Health Award
– Behavioral Health Award
TBCHS was also the only health center in Michigan to receive the Behavioral Health Award, highlighting the organization’s commitment to integrating high-quality behavioral health services into patient care.
“Receiving six CHQR badges and leading the state in total recognitions is an extraordinary accomplishment for our organization,” said Douglas Kreis, Chief Executive Officer of Thunder Bay Community Health Service. “These awards reflect the dedication of our providers, leadership team, and staff, who work every day to improve health outcomes and deliver exceptional care to the communities we serve. We are especially proud to be recognized nationally for quality and to be Michigan’s only recipient of the Behavioral Health Award.”
The achievement is the result of a sustained organizational focus on quality improvement, patient outcomes, and innovative care delivery. Special recognition is extended to Chelsey Safford, Logan Hincka, Brendan Conboy, Richard Bates, MD, and Kayla Berry for their leadership and commitment to advancing quality initiatives across the organization. Their efforts, along with our entire clinical care team's hard work and dedication to quality patient care, have been instrumental in achieving this significant milestone and advancing better outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.
The 2026 CHQR awards underscore Thunder Bay Community Health Service’s continued commitment to providing accessible, patient-centered healthcare and achieving excellence in clinical performance.