Advocacy in Action: LCHC Leads Locally and Nationally

Advocacy in Action: LCHC Leads Locally and Nationally

At Lynn Community Health Center, we believe advocacy is an essential part of delivering excellent care. From Capitol Hill to the Massachusetts State House, our team is committed to ensuring that the voices of our patients and communities are heard—and that the lessons we learn on the ground help shape a better, more equitable healthcare system for all.

This spring, we were proud to show up and speak out at every level:

Federal Advocacy: Representing Lynn in Washington, D.C.
In February, CEO Brenda Rodriguez, Chief of Staff Meaghen Hamill, and Board President Drew Russo attended the National Association of Community Health Centers’ (NACHC) 2025 Policy & Issues Forum in Washington, D.C. Each year, this national gathering brings together leaders from across the country to learn, collaborate, and advocate directly with members of Congress. We’re proud to join our peers in shaping policies that strengthen the Health Center movement and expand access to comprehensive care for all.

Statewide Learning and Leadership at the Community Health Institute (CHI)
From April 29 to May 1, members of our team attended—and presented at—the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers’ annual Community Health Institute. This year’s theme, “All Hands on Deck: Collaborating for a Healthier Future,” reflects our shared commitment to collective problem-solving in a challenging healthcare landscape.

Our team presented on a range of topics that highlight the innovation and expertise at LCHC:

• “Using a Conceptual Model to Guide Nursing Practice” – Lori Stevens & Aisha Abubakar

• “Access Model 2.0 – All Hands on Deck Approach to Access” – Dr. Nick Urbanczyk, Mary Som, Jennifer Gonzalez & Melissa Gomez-Deleon

• “Code & Conquer: Mastering Accuracy” – Dr. Geoff Pechinsky & Maria Vega

• “From Patients to Policies: Diagnosing and Treating Risks at LCHC” – Dr. Elena Freydin

We were especially proud to reconnect with Dr. Kiame Mahaniah—our former CEO and current Massachusetts Undersecretary of Health—who delivered the conference’s opening keynote.

Local Engagement: Advocating at the State House
On May 8, LCHC showed up strong for the Massachusetts League’s annual Day on the Hill. Our team met with Senator Brendan Crighton and Representative Sean Reid to advocate for critical CHC priorities, including 340B protections, sustainable funding, and workforce investments. CEO Brenda Rodriguez also introduced Senator Crighton during the day’s speaking program, and we shared our new Community Health Student Fellowship Program at the event’s Exhibition Fair.

At every level, LCHC is proud to be a voice for our community—and to share what we learn along the way.