NeighborHealth Celebrates Health Equity Leaders at Art of Health Care Gala
Hundreds gather at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to honor six exceptional individuals for their positive community impact
BOSTON, MA (June 14, 2024) – NeighborHealth, formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC), celebrated its first Art of Health Care fundraising gala since the organization’s rebrand and the first ever at the prestigious Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). The event which took place in Boston on June 12th, drew nearly 800 attendees and featured the 2024 Health Equity Awards, recognizing six remarkable leaders for their tireless efforts in advancing health equity and improving lives in the communities served by NeighborHealth.
“The Art of Health Care gala provided an incredible platform to honor changemakers who have dedicated their careers to breaking down barriers to care for our most vulnerable populations,” said Greg Wilmot, President and CEO of NeighborHealth. “From the iconic halls of the MFA, we celebrated leaders who deeply understand the power of social determinants in driving health outcomes and have made addressing them a cornerstone of their work.”
The 2024 Health Equity Awards recipients included:
- Thea L. James, MD, MBA, Vice President of Mission at Boston Medical Center, recognized as Health Equity Champion for her leadership in dismantling medical mistrust in Boston’s Black community.
- Alberto Vasallo, III, CEO and President of El Mundo Boston, honored as Health Equity Champion for his commitment to using media for good to reduce health disparities in Boston’s Latinx community.
- Gerald Hass, MD, Co-Founder of South End Community Health Center, celebrated as Health Equity Trailblazer for co-founding the center with his partner Mel Scovell over 50 years ago.
- Jack Cradock, President Emeritus of NeighborHealth, recognized as Health Equity Trailblazer for being an early and passionate advocate of community-based health systems in Massachusetts.
- Rita Sorrento, Chair of NeighborHealth’s Board of Directors, honored as Health Equity Trailblazer for her longtime healthcare, education, and community advocacy.
- Seae Ventures, LLC, an investment firm focused on early-stage healthcare technology and services companies, recognized as Health Equity Partner for uplifting talented entrepreneurs committed to tackling health and social challenges.
“These leaders inspire us on our journey toward achieving heath equity and we are honored to present them with these awards,” said NeighborHealth Vice President of Development and Chief Human Resources Officer Steven Snyder. “Just as an artist creates a masterpiece with precision and care, addressing disparities is no different; it is complex work that requires perseverance and creativity from all who champion it.”
The event included musical entertainment featuring John Violinist and ZUMIX’s Rhythm of Ghana and Boston’s own Kotoko Brass!, and welcoming remarks by NeighborHealth’s Greg Wilmot. The event closed with touring of the MFA’s Hallyu! The Korean Wave, Art of the Americas exhibits.
Funds raised from the Art of Health Care gala will support numerous NeighborHealth programs dedicated to eliminating barriers to care, including coordinated health and wellness services to children with developmental and cognitive disabilities, supporting older adults to age in place, and lifestyle change and physical fitness promotion through programs like Let’s Get Movin.
For those who were unable to attend but would still like to support NeighborHealth’s mission, donations can be made at https://neighborhealth.com/es/.
Greg Wilmot, NeighborHealth President and CEO delivers remarks at The Art of Health Care reception accompanied by NeighborHealth leadership at the Museum of Fine Arts
Greg Wilmot, NeighborHealth President and CEO, and Ryan Boxill, PhD MBA, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at NeighborHealth stand with Health Equity Champion Award recipient, Thea James, MD, Vice President of Mission & Associate Chief Medical Officer at Boston Medical Center
President and CEO of El Mundo Boston, Alberto Vasallo III, accepts the Health Equity Champion award, pictured with Greg Wilmot, President and CEO of NeighborHealth, and Hollis Graham, NeighborHealth Assistant Vice President of Strategy, Innovation & Transformation
Greg Wilmot, NeighborHealth President and CEO presents Dr. Gerald Hass, MD, Co-Founder of South End Community Health Center with Health Equity Trailblazer award
NeighborHealth President and CEO, Greg Wilmot, celebrates Jack Cradock, President Emeritus of NeighborHealth, as Health Equity Trailblazer for his longtime advocacy of community-based health systems
Rita Sorrento, Chair of NeighborHealth’s Board of Directors honored with a Health Equity Trailblazer award by NeighborHealth President and CEO, Greg Wilmot and Chief Human Resources Officer, Steven Snyder
NeighborHealth President and CEO, Greg Wilmot standing with representatives from Seae Ventures as they accept the organizations Health Equity Partner award
NeighborHealth staff at The Art of Health Care reception
Información Acerca de NeighborHealth
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center es uno de los centros de salud calificados a nivel federal (FQHC, por sus siglas en inglés) más grandes del país y el sistema de salud de atención primaria comunitario más grande de Massachusetts, que atiende a más de 120,000 personas y está reconocido por la Administración de Servicios y Recursos de Salud (HRSA, por sus siglas en inglés) como líder nacional de calidad. Durante más de 50 años, EBNHC ha ofrecido acceso a atención primaria integral, atención especializada y atención de emergencia para pacientes en el Commonwealth. En una fusión única en su tipo en 2020, EBNHC unió fuerzas con el South End Community Health Center y amplió los servicios a los pacientes que viven y trabajan en los vecindarios de South End y Roxbury de Boston.
EBNHC apoya los modelos de atención innovadores para disminuir las barreras de igualdad en nuestras comunidades de bajos recursos e inmigrantes, con servicios únicos de atención médica que se ofrecen por parte de otros proveedores en nuestro estado. Además de la atención primaria y especializada, EBNHC opera el único Departamento de Emergencias satélite de Massachusetts, que es el cuarto servicio de urgencias más visitado de Boston e incluye radiología avanzada, tomografía computarizada, atención urgente de salud mental sin cita y una farmacia integrada. Hoy en día, EBNHC sigue dedicado a promover y mantener comunidades, familias e individuos saludables, tanto dentro como fuera del consultorio, brindando servicios de atención médica accesibles, centrados en la persona, compasivos y de alta calidad. Para más información visite https://neighborhealth.com/es/.
