Vecino Health Centers: 2026 gold quality leader
Sixth gold award since 2020, plus national recognition for heart health and information technology
We are proud to share some exciting news: Vecino Health Centers — home to Denver Harbor Family Health Center and Airline Children & Women’s Health Center — has once again been recognized in the top 10 percent of the nation’s community health providers. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded us the 2026 Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge.
Vecino’s leadership credits the achievement to staff across both health centers, from left: Enjoli Benitez, MD, chief medical officer; Daniel Montez, chief executive officer; and Juan Olivares Jr., MD, director of pediatrics.
Gold badges are awarded to health centers scoring in the top 10 percent nationwide; silver badges to the top 11–20 percent. Vecino has received six gold awards and one silver.
This recognition reflects the commitment and dedication of our staff, the trust our patients place in us, and the continued support of our partners.
How HRSA measures quality
The Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge is based on HRSA’s “report card” system known as the Uniform Data System (UDS), where health centers across the country measure their performance on 16 key quality measures. These measures track important areas like prenatal and preventive health, behavioral health, and chronic disease management — all things that make a real difference in patients’ lives.
Additional national recognition in 2026
Alongside the gold badge, Vecino earned two additional Community Health Quality Recognition badges this year:
National Quality Leader in Heart Health
This prestigious national recognition highlights our work preventing and managing cardiovascular disease through exceptional clinical care, patient engagement, and evidence-based practices.
Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality
This award recognizes our continued commitment to using health information technology to improve patient care — through telehealth services, care coordination, patient engagement, clinical data exchange, and innovative technology that supports better health outcomes.
What the awards mean to patients
These national recognitions are more than awards. They confirm that patients at both of our northeast Houston locations — Denver Harbor Family Health Center and Airline Children & Women’s Health Center — are receiving measurable improvements in care.
“These recognitions are far more than plaques or badges,” said Enjoli Benitez, MD, MPH, chief medical officer at Vecino Health Centers.
“They represent thousands of patient visits and countless acts of compassion. Whether someone is welcoming patients, providing direct clinical care, managing referrals, or working behind the scenes, every role contributes. These awards belong to every member of the Vecino family.”
Most importantly, this progress is made possible by the dedication of our staff and the trust our patients place in us. Together, we are creating healthier futures for individuals, families, and the community we serve.
