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 www.neighborhealth.com.

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

About NeighborHealth

NeighborHealth, formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, is one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, serving over 120,000 people and recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a National Quality Leader. For more than 50 years, NeighborHealth has offered access to comprehensive primary care, specialty care and emergency care for patients in the Commonwealth. In a first-of-its-kind merger in 2020, NeighborHealth joined forces with the South End Community Health Center and expanded services to patients who live and work in Boston’s South End and Roxbury neighborhoods.

NeighborHealth champions innovative care models to actively bridge health equity gaps in our low-income and immigrant communities with services unique from other health care providers in our state. In addition to primary and specialty care, NeighborHealth operates Massachusetts’ only satellite Emergency Department, which is the fourth busiest ED in Boston and is co-located with advanced radiology, including CT scan services, same-day Behavioral Health Urgent Care and an integrated pharmacy. Today, NeighborHealth remains dedicated to promoting and sustaining healthy communities, families, and individuals both in and out of the exam room by providing accessible, person-centered, compassionate, and high-quality health care services. For more information, visit www.neighborhealth.com.