Celebrating our 2024 Staff Awards and Anniversaries

On October 21^st, Lynn Community Health Center held our Annual Staff Awards and Anniversaries Celebration to honor the accomplishments of our dedicated staff. The Board was commended for their ongoing support, advocacy, and commitment to the center’s mission. Their efforts, along with the dedication of the entire team, have been instrumental in making 2024 a year of progress and milestones.

Check out these numbers from 2024 so far!

• 157 New Hires
• 80 New Positions Created
• 38 Promotions
• 24 Women of Color Promoted
• 160 Student Rotations (from 22 Institutions!)
• 713 FTE’s
• 39,000+ Patients Served to Date
• 280,000+ FY24 Patient Visits
• 134,000+ Prescriptions
• $114 million in FY24 Revenue
• $1.3 million Bonus Payout

Additional key highlights from the year include the launch of the Employee Engagement Survey, which gathered nearly 1,000 comments from staff and set the foundation for improving areas such as competitive pay, professional development, and leadership. Additionally, several new leadership roles have been introduced, including a Chief Business Transformation Officer to advance operational excellence and a soon-to-be-hired Chief People Officer to focus on enhancing the workplace environment.

The center’s social media presence has seen significant growth, with a nearly 50% increase in followers since the start of the year. Relationships with elected officials have also strengthened, resulting in increased support from Capitol Hill, the State House, and City Hall.

While 2024 brought challenges, such as operational changes and patient access issues, Lynn Community Health Center has remained committed to its mission and community. The event concluded with a message of pride in the organization’s achievements and a call to continue building a thriving future together.

John S. Moran Community Service Award: MJ Duffy-Alexander, City of Lynn Public Health Nurse

The John S. Moran Community Service Award was established in memory of John S. Moran, a dedicated Lynn Community Health Center board member and former Executive Editor of the *Daily Evening Item*. Known for his deep empathy and commitment to service, the award honors individuals with strong ties to Lynn who have made a significant impact on the community. This year, the award was presented to MJ Duffy-Alexander, Lynn’s Public Health Nurse for over 25 years. MJ is recognized for her compassionate care, dedication to patient health, and her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in retirement, MJ continues to serve her community, embodying the spirit of humility, empathy, and public service that defined John Moran’s legacy.

Andrea Gaulzetti Award for Excellence: Gabriela Garcia, RN, Vaccine Program Coordinator

The Andrea Gaulzetti Award for Excellence in Community Health is an annual peer-to-peer award in memory of Andrea Gaulzetti, LCHC’s former Chief Nursing Officer, honoring staff members who embody her values of dedication to patient care, mentorship, and innovative thinking. This year, the award was presented to Gabriella Garcia, Vaccine Program Coordinator and primary care nurse, for her outstanding contributions to the vaccination program and her collaborative team spirit. Gabby’s leadership, professionalism, and compassion have left a lasting impact on both colleagues and patients. She continues to inspire others as she pursues her Master of Public Health degree, exemplifying the values Andrea held dear.

Inaugural Innovation Award

This award is given to four individuals for their outstanding strategic thinking and implementation resulting in the transformation of our Behavioral Health and Nursing workforce training and educational programs, and enhancing our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and integrated care.

Charlotte Badler, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Nurse Educator

Charlotte Badler, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Nurse Educator at LCHC, has excelled in developing training programs for medical assistants and nurses, focusing on professional development, competency building, and inter-professional collaboration. Her efforts have fostered integration between nursing and behavioral health teams, enhancing patient care. She has also established a nurse residency program to support newly graduated nurses at LCHC. Through her work, including initiatives on weight neutrality and LGBTQ+ care, Charlotte has helped create a more welcoming and comprehensive patient-centered practice at LCHC.

Catherine Smail, Psy.D., Associate Director of Behavioral Health Training

Cat Smail, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Training at LCHC, has played a key role in expanding short-term therapy services through a partnership with the Beck Institute, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). By enhancing access to short-term therapy, Dr. Smail’s efforts help address the needs of patients facing constraints that limit long-term therapy. Her leadership is especially vital as LCHC implements HRSA’s Behavioral Health Service Expansion grant. Additionally, Dr. Smail has promoted cross-departmental trainings and professional development, strengthening collaboration between behavioral health and primary care teams.

Diana Westerberg, Ph.D., Director of Behavioral Health Training

Diana Westerberg, Director of Behavioral Health Training at LCHC, has led the organization’s partnership with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers’ Equitable Care Collaborative Behavioral Health Internship Pipeline Program, in collaboration with Mass General Brigham. This program aims to attract diverse and culturally responsive Behavioral Health Therapists by providing paid field placements for graduate students at community health centers. Through her efforts, Diana has helped future professionals gain essential clinical skills and experience in integrated care settings. Her commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce reflects the unique cultural needs of the Lynn community and strengthens LCHC’s integrated care model.

Anne-Terese Van Der Burg, PMHNP, Associate Director of Psychopharmacology Training

Anne-Terese, PMHNP and Associate Director of Psychopharmacology Training at LCHC, has been instrumental in developing one of Massachusetts’ first Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Programs. This initiative, supported by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and UMass Chan Graduate School of Nursing, prepares newly graduated Psych NPs for integrated care roles in community health settings. With a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, the program combines clinical practice, academic support, and mentorship to strengthen the psychiatric workforce in underserved communities. Anne-Terese’s leadership fosters growth and professional development, making LCHC a welcoming environment for new Psych NPs.

Inaugural Leadership Award: Dr. Herlivi Linares, Associate Director of Dental Department

The Leadership Award is the second of three inaugural awards presented tonight, recognizing an employee in a supervisory position who demonstrates exceptional leadership, particularly during times of change or crisis. This year, 90 nominations were submitted for 27 employees across 18 teams and departments. The 2024 Leadership Award is being awarded to Dr. Herlivi Linares, Associate Director of the Dental Department, for her inspiring vision and dedication to fostering a supportive team environment. Dr. Linares exemplifies leadership through her empathy, integrity, and commitment to creating a culture of respect and collaboration, which has been crucial during challenging times, including the recent dental fire in February 2024. Her efforts have ensured that high-quality, equitable oral health care remains accessible to the greater Lynn community, making her a deserving recipient of this honor.

Inaugural CEO Special Recognition Award: Mary Meiklejohn-Pitney, Grants Manager

The CEO Special Recognition Award honors an employee who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the organization, often recognizing those unsung heroes who consistently give their best. This inaugural award is presented to Mary Meiklejohn-Pitney, who embodies the core values of LCHC and has dedicated over 22 years to the organization, most notably as Grants Manager. Mary has been instrumental in creating the financial roadmap that supports numerous programs and has successfully launched initiatives like the CHC Student Fellowship Program through the Atrius Health Equity Foundation grant. Under her leadership, LCHC secured the HRSA Behavioral Health Expansion Grant, awarded to less than a third of health centers nationwide. With her tenacity and commitment, Mary has pursued every funding opportunity, resulting in 51 grants totaling over $21 million in the past three years alone. Her remarkable contributions make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.