PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — For the seventh consecutive year, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s community health centers have earned the prestigious gold-level Health Center Quality Leader badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This recognition places the District’s 12 Federally Qualified Health Centers among the top 10% nationwide, making it one of only five in Florida—and the only one in Palm Beach County—to achieve this distinction. Additionally, the District has received its first-ever National Quality Leader Behavioral Health badge, highlighting its commitment to expanding mental health services through evidence-based clinical care.
The behavioral health recognition celebrates the District’s integrated approach to mental health and primary care, offering patients comprehensive, whole-person care. “Our community health centers have proudly served 45,000 patients in the last year,” said Darcy J. Davis, President and CEO of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. “We’re thrilled to be recognized as the only Gold Quality Leader in Palm Beach County. Our newest accolade for Behavioral Health is especially monumental as we have continued to innovate and expand access to essential mental health care that stops the cycle of crisis.”
Dr. Belma Andric, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, described the achievement as “a powerful validation of the transformative work our teams are doing every day.” She emphasized that integrating behavioral health into primary care is not merely innovative but essential. “From expanding psychiatric services to pioneering programs alongside first responders, we are breaking down barriers and redefining how communities access mental health care,” Dr. Andric stated.
To enhance access to behavioral health services, the Health Care District has implemented several key initiatives. The Community Health Center in Mangonia Park now offers comprehensive psychiatric services for both adults and children seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., including holidays. This expanded availability ensures that mental health care is accessible when patients need it most.
The District also leads innovative programs such as Operation: C.O.A.S.T., a collaborative partnership that deploys peer responders and licensed therapists alongside law enforcement officers on mental health-related 911 calls. This approach helps connect individuals in crisis directly to specialized care. Further demonstrating its commitment to mental health, the District is currently constructing a new Crisis Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, which will provide round-the-clock gold-standard clinical and psychiatric care to the community.
