The Eric B. Taylor Leadership Award was established in 2012 in recognition of Mr. Eric B. Taylor’s immeasurable contributions to the health center movement as Executive Director of the SWLA Center for Health Services. The award is presented to an outstanding non-provider staff member of a Louisiana Federally Qualified Health Center who exemplifies passion and commitment to improving the care and quality of life for health center patients. The decision will be made based on the nominee’s years of service, developing responsibilities, and specific contributions to the health center community.

Award Eligibility for 2024:

The nominee must meet the following criteria:

• • • Active participation in and support of LPCA events & initiatives
    • Must be a non-provider staff member of a LPCA member FQHC
    • Demonstrable improvement of access to primary care for vulnerable populations, including but not limited to work around community development, patient engagement, CHC training/technical assistance, workforce issues, public policy, etc.
    • Increasing depth and breadth of responsibilities.
    • 3 years of service within the community health center program.

The Legislative Champion of the Year Award goes to an individual who serves as an elected official in the public policy arenas of local, state or federal government who has gone above and beyond championing wider access to primary care.

Award Eligibility for 2024:

• • • Nominee must be an elected official
    • Has shown dedication to the Community Health Center Movement
    • Has a relationship with the Community Health Center(s) in their area (either new, developing, or established)
    • Has taken action to advance LPCA’s public policy priorities

The Consumer Advocate of the Year Award acknowledges an outstanding consumer who has made significant contributions toward promoting the mission of Federally Qualified Health Centers and excelled in grassroots advocacy on behalf of Louisiana’s FQHCs. The Consumer Advocate of the Year inspires others to make a difference by engaging their elected officials in discussions and promoting policies that support the work of FQHCs. The consumer must be a current/former outstanding board member or unpaid staff member of an FQHC that is in good standing with LPCA.

Award Criteria:

• • • Has taken action to advance LPCA’s public policy priorities
    • Has participated in LPCA’s Advocacy Branch within the past year
    • Has participated in NACHC’s Policy and Issues Forum at least once within the past two years
    • Has a relationship with their State Representative and/or Senator; and/or their member of Congress and/or their staff (either new, developing, or established)
    • Has shown dedication to the Community Health Center Movement

The Health Care Provider of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding health care provider who has demonstrated dedication, expertise and concern for their patients in a compassionate and comprehensive manner. Provider is defined as physician, dentist, pharmacist, behavioral health clinician, or mid-level practitioner who is employed by an Association member.

Award Criteria:

• • • Has participated in LPCA’s Clinical Branch within the past year
    • Demonstrable contribution to the healthcare of families through the provision of excellence in healthcare and health education
    • Improvement of access to primary care for vulnerable populations, including but not limited to work around community development, patient engagement, CHC training/technical assistance, workforce issues, public policy, etc.
    • Years of service within the community health center program

The Customer Service Excellence award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution by providing excellent internal and/or external customer service to health center consumers and fellow colleagues, and who works cooperatively with staff at all levels of community health center operations. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by front line and other health center staff who have direct interaction with health center clients. The contribution may take the form of exceptional selfless dedication, organization loyalty, self-motivation, discipline and accountability and/or other evidence of highly effective customer service professionalism.

Award Criteria:

• • • Exceeds the expectations of a customer by providing exceptional customer service to
    • patients and peers.
    • Recognizes and works well with all health center departments.
    • Demonstrates creativity or resourcefulness in assisting customers, colleagues and/or external vendors.
    • Develops new and efficient ways to solve customer service problems and overcome challenges.