La Esperanza Clinic Among Top 10% of U.S. Health Centers, Receives HRSA Gold Quality Badge

SAN ANGELO, TX - La Esperanza Clinic has been named a 2025 Health Center Quality Leader Gold Badge Awardee by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an honor that places the clinic among the top 10% of health centers nationwide for quality of care and clinical performance.

According to information from the clinic, more than 1,400 HRSA-supported health centers were evaluated using Uniform Data System (UDS) data, and only 186 clinics nationwide earned the Gold Badge. La Esperanza Clinic is one of just eight Texas health centers to receive this top honor in 2025.

This recognition is part of HRSA’s Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) program, which honors health centers that demonstrate significant improvements in access to care, clinical quality, health outcomes, and the use of health information technology. The Gold Badge is awarded to health centers whose performance ranks in the top 10% nationwide, based on Adjusted Quartile Rankings (AQRs). HRSA determines these rankings annually by analyzing each health center’s clinical performance and comparing it to national benchmarks.

AQRs are calculated using data from the UDS, a standardized national reporting system that all HRSA-funded health centers complete each year. The UDS tracks patient demographics, services provided, clinical outcomes, and other indicators that reflect how effectively a center is meeting its community’s needs. Clinical areas evaluated include preventive screenings, chronic disease management, and other essential measures of patient health and safety.

“This award reflects the hard work, dedication, and compassion of our entire team,” said Dean Munn, CEO of La Esperanza Clinic. “From front desk to exam room, every staff member plays a vital role in ensuring our patients receive care that is not only accessible, but exceptional.

"At the heart of this achievement is our use of data and accountability to continuously measure, evaluate, and improve outcomes," he said. "It shows our patients that their health, trust, and well-being are our top priorities, and that we don’t just say it, we prove it. This badge is both a milestone and a motivator. It reminds us that while we celebrate progress, we are never done improving. Receiving this honor during National Health Center Week makes it even more meaningful, and it’s a powerful way to celebrate our mission and the impact of community health centers nationwide.”

National Health Center Week (August 4-10, 2025) is an annual celebration recognizing the vital role health centers play in providing affordable, high-quality care to all, especially the medically underserved communities. With a focus on equity, innovation, and community-based care, health centers like La Esperanza Clinic are improving health outcomes and ensuring continued access to quality care for those in the Concho Valley and surrounding communities, information stated. 

La Esperanza Clinic also received the High Value Care, Improving Health Care Access, and Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality badges, recognizing its commitment to delivering cost-effective care, expanding timely access, and using innovative technology to enhance patient health outcomes.

"La Esperanza Clinic’s recognition reflects a culture of continuous quality improvement and excellence in patient care," information from the clinic states. "As a community health center serving San Angelo and the Concho Valley, the clinic remains committed to providing accessible, high-quality, and compassionate care to all." 

For more information about La Esperanza Clinic, call (325) 658-5339 or visit https://www.esperanzahealth.org.

Since 1994, La Esperanza Clinic has been providing health care to over 11,000 residents in San Angelo and the Concho Valley. La Esperanza Clinic has three brick and mortar clinics in San Angelo: 1610 S. Chadbourne Street, 35 E. 31st Street and 34 Buick Street, as well as a Mobile Clinic that travels to rural areas of the Concho Valley. La Esperanza’s mission is to provide quality primary and preventative health and dental care services to all people in San Angelo and the Concho Valley.