Health Center Quality Leader with Gold Tier Recognition
In 2026, Zufall Health was awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for being a Health Center Quality Leader with Gold tier recognition, placing Zufall among the top 10% of health centers in terms of overall clinical quality measure performance. Zufall has consistently achieved status as a Health Center Quality Leader since 2016.
HRSA Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality Badge
In 2026, 2025, 2023, 2022, and 2019, Zufall was awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality. This recognition is provided to health centers that meet all criteria to optimize HIT services, which entails adopting an electronic health record system; offering telehealth services; exchanging clinical information electronically with key providers/health care settings; engaging patents through HIT; and collecting data on patient social risk factors.
HRSA National Quality Leader (NQL) Cancer Screening Badge
In 2025 and 2026, Zufall was awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for Cancer Screening. This recognition is provided to health centers that meet or exceed at least one of three measure targets for cancer screening: 1) Breast Cancer Screening: Healthy People 2030 Target – 80.3%; 2) Cervical Cancer Screening: Healthy People 2030 Target – 79.2%; 3) Colorectal Cancer Screening: Healthy People 2030 Target – 72.8%.
HRSA National Quality Leader (NQL) Diabetes Health
In 2025 and 2026, Zufall was awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for Diabetes Health. This recognition is provided to health centers that meet or exceed at least two of three measure targets for diabetes health: 1) Adult Body Mass Index (BMI) screening and follow-up plan: Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 86%; 2) Weight assessment and counseling for nutrition and physical activity for children and adolescents (Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 85%); Diabetes: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Poor Control (>9.0%) – Inverse Measure (uncontrolled diabetes): Healthy People 2030 Target – 11.6%.
HRSA National Quality Leader (NQL) Behavioral Health
In 2025 and 2026, Zufall was awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for Behavioral Health. This recognition is provided to health centers that meet or exceed at least two of three measure targets for behavioral health: 1) Depression Remission at 12 months: Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 18%; 2) Screening for depression and follow up plan: Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 85.8%; 3) Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) (Proportion of all patients receiving SBIRT): At least 5%
HRSA Preventive Health Badge
In 2025 and 2026, Zufall was awarded a HRSA Preventive Health Badge. This recognition is provided to health centers that achieve at least five of these 10 measure targets: 1) Dental sealants for children between 6-9 years: Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 76.9%; 2) Weight assessment and counseling for nutrition and physical activity for children and adolescents: Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 85.1%; 3) Childhood lead test screening (ages 9 to 72 months): Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 28.6%; 4) Childhood development screenings and evaluations (limited to patients who are less than 18 years of age): Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 20.8%; 5) Screening for depression and follow-up plan: Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 85.8%; 6) Tobacco use: screening and cessation intervention: Million Hearts Goals – 80%; 7) Adult Body Mass Index (BMI) screening and follow-up plan: Top quartile of 2023 UDS Data – 86%; 8) Breast cancer screening: Healthy People 2030 Target – 80.3%; 9) Cervical cancer screening: Healthy People 2030 Target – 79.2%; 10) Colorectal cancer screening: Healthy People 2030 Target 72.8%.
HRSA National Quality Leader (NQL) Heart Health
In 2025 and 2026, Zufall was awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for Heart Health. This recognition is provided to health centers that meet or exceed at least three of the four measure targets for heart health, based on the Million Hearts Goals: 1) Tobacco use: screening and cessation intervention: 80%; 2) Ischemic Vascular Disease (IVD): use of aspirin or another antiplatelet: 80%; 3) Statin therapy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease: 80%; 4) Controlling High Blood Pressure (hypertension control): 80%
Franklin Township School-Based Health Center Opening
In May 2026, Zufall Health opened its first school-based health center facility in collaboration with Franklin Township and the Franklin Township Board of Education. The first of its kind in the Zufall system, the center is available to Franklin Township School District students, their families, and the broader community. Read more.
Zufall Health’s School-Based Health Center Program Receives Healthier Somerset’s 2025 Embracing Innovation Award
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Participant Level from the American Heart Association
Zufall received the recognition of Target: Type 2 Diabetes Participant Level from the American Heart Association in 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022. This initiative promotes evidence-based care for patients with type 2 diabetes who have had cardiovascular events. Achievement of the award denotes impressive HbA1c control and at least 70% adherence to a cardiovascular-focused clinical measure.
Target: BP Recognition Program by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association
From 2017 through 2025, Zufall was awarded Gold+ from The Target: BP Recognition Program by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association to celebrate practices and health systems that treat patients with hypertension, for achieving blood pressure control rates at or above 70% within the populations they serve. These achievements will ultimately lead to a reduction in the number of Americans who suffer heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol Management Recognition by the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association awarded Zufall Check. Change. Control: Cholesterol Gold Level status in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, and 2019, recognizing our work towards improving the identification and management of our patients’ cholesterol through 70% or more adherence to statins by at-risk patients.
Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for Being a Patient-Centered Medical Home
Each year from 2016 to 2025, Zufall Health has been awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge for being a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), awarded to health centers with PCMH recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance in one or more delivery sites.
HRSA Improving Health Care Access Badge
In 2025, Zufall was awarded a HRSA Improving Health Care Access Badge. This recognition is provided to health centers that achieve at least one of these: Earn at least one HCQL or NQL badge, or 2) Improve by at least 15% in one or more CQMs in back-to-back UDS reporting years, and Increase by at least 5% in back-to-back UDS reporting years, including total patients and patients receiving mental health, substance use disorder, vision, dental, or enabling services.
Ribbon Cutting for Zufall Health Mobile Medical, Sponsored by BD
In September 2025, Zufall Health unveiled its new Mobile Medical unit during a ribbon-cutting at the BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) corporate headquarters in Franklin Lakes, NJ, thanks to a generous contribution from the global medical technology company. Touting two fully equipped medical exam rooms, the unit joins Zufall’s growing fleet of mobile vehicles, including its original Highlands Health Van, which has been on the road since 2009 and logged nearly 100,000 miles. The Mobile Medical will ultimately replace the Highlands Health Van. Read more.
David C. Herzenberg Award from the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce
Zufall Health was honored with the 2025 David C. Herzenberg Award at the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce’s 38th Annual Toast to the Stars luncheon on Thursday, April 10. The award is presented annually to one organization making a significant contribution to the health and well-being of Sussex County residents through the direct delivery of health care and human services activities.
Zufall provides comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services to patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, making it a critical and often lifesaving resource for Sussex County’s most underserved residents. Headquartered in Dover, Zufall operates across northern and central New Jersey, including their Newton site that opened in 2016. Demand for services in Newton has surged in recent years. In 2024, more than 4,000 patients received care at the site, which included 14,000 visits. This represented an increase of approximately 18% and 29%, respectively, from the previous year.
One of those patients is named Raven, who turned to Zufall Health – Newton nearly a decade ago after losing her job and health insurance. Without access to medical care, she would have been unable to manage the severe asthma that had previously landed her in the hospital. Although she now has insurance, she continues to rely on the health center for her care. “The care here is phenomenal and is a one-stop shop for everything I need,” Raven says. “And by helping those of us who can’t always afford the high cost of health care, Zufall truly saves lives.”
In addition to stories like Raven’s, one of Zufall’s most impactful contributions to Sussex County in 2024 was the launch of its Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for individuals in recovery from addiction and substance use disorders. The program addresses a long-standing gap in local care access—particularly for uninsured and Medicaid-enrolled residents—and is fully integrated into primary care at all Zufall locations.
“Zufall Health has proven time and again that high-quality care doesn’t have to be out of reach for anyone,” said Frances Palm, Zufall’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This award is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff, who go above and beyond every day to ensure that patients in Sussex County—and across our region—get the care they need and deserve.”
HRSA Access Enhancer Badge
In 2024, Zufall was among the 23% of health centers that were awarded a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge denoting Zufall as an Access Enhancer. This badge is given to health centers who have 1) earned at least one Health Center Quality Leader or National Quality Leader badge or improved by at least 15% in one or more Clinical Quality Measures in back-to-back reporting years; and 2) have at least a 5% an increase in total patients and patients receiving mental health, substance use disorder, vision, dental, or enabling services in back-to-back reporting years. Zufall also received this badge in 2023 and 2019.
HRSA Health Disparities Reducer Badge
In 2024, Zufall was one of only 21% of health centers that received a HRSA Community Health Center Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge denoting Zufall as a Health Disparities Reducer. This badge is awarded to health centers with at least a 10% improvement in low birth weight, hypertension control, or uncontrolled diabetes Clinical Quality Measures and have met set targets for measures in all racial and ethnic groups served within the last reporting year. Zufall also received this badge in 2023 and 2019.
Accreditation from The Joint Commission
Zufall Health announced today its first-ever accreditation by The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation recognizes Zufall’s ongoing commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
“This prestigious achievement validates Zufall’s dedication to excellent care for everyone,” said Zufall President and CEO Fran Palm. “We believe that access to safe and caring health care is a fundamental right regardless of income, insurance, language, or other barriers.”
The accreditation follows a rigorous, three-day evaluation of multiple Zufall sites. During the visits, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with Ambulatory Health Care standards spanning several areas including patient rights, patient satisfaction, emergency preparedness, infection prevention and control, risk management, and quality improvement. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
Palm added, “I extend gratitude to our staff for their outstanding dedication to our patients during the survey and every day, while simultaneously meeting national standards.”
The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance.
“As a health care accreditor, The Joint Commission works with health care organizations across care settings to inspire safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend Zufall Health for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients.”
Zufall’s accreditation is valid for three years. For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.
New West Orange Office Opening
In February 2024, Zufall Health opened its new West Orange office to the public. The modern, three-story facility is the health system’s first building constructed from the ground up. It replaced the former West Orange location on Northfield Avenue, which had served patients since 2014. Read more.
