Health Center Leaders Honored at the 2024 NACHC Community Heath Institute

Every year, NACHC honors Community Health Center leaders with the Awards of Excellence. These leaders are innovators in health care delivery, set high standards for patient care and quality, and demonstrate leadership and advocacy that advances health equity. They are essentially the backbone of the Community Health Center Movement whose accomplishments were recently honored at the NACHC 2024 Community Health Institute (CHI) & Expo in Atlanta, GA.

John Gilbert Award, Richard Bettini

As President and CEO of Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) in Waianae, HI, Mr. Bettini steered the state's largest federally qualified health center through the treacherous waters of a global pandemic and amplified its impact as an economic engine in the region. The health center's response to COVID - pivoting to telehealth, developing a drive through COVID testing site, implementing the curbside delivery of medicines, became a model for others to follow. Bettini's innovative vision and bold ideas notably enhanced the delivery of comprehensive health services, breaking through socioeconomic and cultural barriers in Waianae with empathy and ingenuity. WCCHC has a diverse patient population in which more than 70 percent of patients live in poverty.

Ethel Bond Memorial Consumer Award, Betty Bibbins, MD

Dr. Bibbins is a Portsmouth, Virginia native who trained as a nurse and attended medical school and completed an Obstetrics and Gynecology residency. Upon relocation to the Eastern Shore Rural Health System (ESRHS) in Onancock, VA, with her husband, Dr. Paul Bibbins, she vividly describes her shock upon learning that there was an agricultural worker camp within walking distance of their home. After seeing evidence of significant health and socioeconomic disparities on the Eastern Shore, Dr. Bibbins became determined to focus her time and energies in addressing local equity, diversity, and inclusion concerns. "We are the only primary care provider for 17 miles on the island," Bibbins told the gathering at the general session. ESRHS provides comprehensive affordable, high quality, accessible medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare to all who work, live, and visit the Eastern Shore. Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc. was named 100 percent compliant in an Operational Site Visit conducted by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) last December. The center is also among the top 10 percent of health centers in the nation in improving health outcomes and providing high-quality care for patients.

Samuel U. Rodgers, MD Achievement Award, Steve Federico, MD

Dr. Federico leads government relations efforts in better establishing partnerships with and advocating to local, city, state and federal leaders and organizations on behalf of Denver Health's Community Health Services in Denver, CO. His advocacy work has focused on eliminating the barriers to adequate health coverage and health care faced by children and families in Colorado. "Medicine is not contained within the walls of our exam room," Dr. Federico told the audience during the award ceremony at the conference. A passionate advocate, Dr. Federico has presented and published on the topics of school-based health, child poverty, improving child health coverage, physician advocacy, and health policy. He maintains and develops new relationships with community and constituency partners and continues to enhance efforts in community outreach and identify areas of growth.

Louis S. Garcia Community/Migrant Health Services Award, Elizabeth Avila

Ms. Avila played a pivotal role in ensuring a successful year for the S.C. Agricultural Worker Health Program (SCAgWHP) at the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association in Columbia, SC, demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment. Her meticulous approach to preparing key programmatic deliverables was instrumental in the SCAgWHP's ability to submit its Service Area Competition continuation grant application, the 2023 Uniform Data System (UDS) Report, and monthly board reports in an exemplary and timely manner. Her foresight and initiative in leading the project for the UDS+ transition have not only ensured the accuracy of data reporting but also enhanced the program's overall data management capabilities, setting a new standard for operational excellence within the organization. "I would like to thank my migrant family for this award," said Avila during the award ceremony. "When you take a bite of that meal at your table, please thank the farmworkers who brought it there."

Norton Wilson State/Regional Leadership Award, Michael A. Curry

Mr. Curry has been President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (MLCHC) in Boston, MA, since January of 2021, and previously worked at the Mass League as Deputy CEO and prior to that as SVP of Government Affairs. He has spearheaded a host of initiatives at the MLCHC in a short period of time, including a student loan repayment program with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that will provide over $300 million in student loan repayment assistance to health care workers in Massachusetts. He has led the creation of the Institute for Health Equity Research Evaluation & Policy which will lead research projects led by health centers with a key focus on emancipatory research on often overlooked populations. During his acceptance speech Mr. Curry challenged the audience to "be disruptive now more than ever" in pursuing bold ideas and innovations.

Aaron L. Brown Memorial Public Service Award, Virginia "Ginger" Fuata

Mrs. Fuata is a Native Hawaiian recognized for her leadership and profound commitment to health and prosperity of her community. Her tenure as the First Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the WCCHC is marked by astute governance and her heart for service. She ensures the children's welfare is at the forefront of her public service work. In her role with the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council, Mrs. Fuata brings her extensive experience and perspective to bear on national issues affecting Indigenous peoples, including Hawaiian children. She assists the GAO in identifying emerging concerns, ensuring the inclusion of diverse indigenous perspectives, and shaping processes for collaboration with Tribes.

Innovative Research in Primary Care Award, Jignesh Sheth, MD

A beacon of innovation and dedication within the field of primary care, Dr. Sheth embodies a commitment to excellence and transformative health care practices at The Wright Center for Community Health in Scranton, PA. He spearheads technological initiatives for workflow efficiency and improved patient care and experiences, fosters a culture of excellence and collaboration, and advances the development of future health care professionals. His innovative population and data management initiatives to improve patient wellness and health care outcomes for underserved populations include integrating technology to monitor key health metrics, developing telemedicine services, combating COVID-19, redesigning practice workflow, designing new health centers, and leading the Steering Committee for Keystone Health Information Exchange.

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