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As Charles Henderson Child Health Care Center embarks on its fifth decade of service to the community, a new national designation reinforces its commitment to patient-centered care.

The center celebrated 40 years of service to Pike and surrounding counties on July 16, 2019. “We ended the year on a high note as well,” said Dr. Ben Busbee, Administrator.

On Dec. 5, 2019, the center completed a nine-month process that resulted in being awarded the Patient Center Medical Home certification by the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

“Our certification also included the ‘Behavioral Health’ distinction, (PCMH-BH), and we were informed that the Charles Henderson Child Health Center is the only pediatric practice in Alabama to achieve this NCQA certification distinction.” Busbee said achieving PCMH certification was a major goal in 2019. The certification is awarded by the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which is an independent non-profit organization that works to improve health care quality. Several decades ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics introduced the medical home concept and eventually partnered with the NCQA as the accrediting body for the PCMH certification.

“So much has changed in the delivery of health care since we opened our doors in 1979, but the one thing that does not change is the joy, compassion and sense of commitment to serve which describes the culture at the center,” Busbee said. “‘Patience Centered’ has been the norm at the center for decades, so it only made sense to formalize the process and become recognized by the NCQA. PCMH-BH certification is just one more step in assuring the community that they can trust the quality of care provided at the center.”