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Celebrating our NPs at LCHC

By Announcements10 min read

Telepsychiatry - Andrea Quilty, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP

The LCHC telepsychiatry IMG 6108program, one of its kind in Massachusetts managed by our PMHNPs, has expanded access to psychiatric services to other health centers across MA.  The expansion of this program has addressed long-standing barriers such as widespread shortages of mental health professionals, geographical distance, and lack of transportation that are especially prevalent in underserved areas. Our PMNNPs are working with other CHC’s and establishing workflows to increase access, enhance patient outcomes, and promote cost-effective care by reducing patient travel expenses, unnecessary emergency room visits, and hospitalizations through timely and continuous mental health supports.
Andrea, a trusted voice, has diligently worked within this program since its initiation, furthering the health center’s goal of proven care. She has coordinated care with Holyoke and Cape Island CHCs. She has been instrumental in providing timely consultations and follow-ups beyond a traditional clinic setting. Andrea has recently increased telepsychiatry hours which is crucial in addressing continuity of care, facilitating more frequent follow-up appointments, and supports medication adherence and treatment plan consistency.

PMHNP Fellowship Program - Chisato Suga, PMHNP-BC

LCHC PMHNP Fellowship isheadshot chichi an advanced post-graduate training initiative designed to prepare graduate psychiatric nurse practitioners for excellence in community-based behavioral health and to increase the PMHNP workforce. The program, in conjunction with Mass League and UMass Chan MedicaL school provides clinical didactics, comprehensive experience in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and integrated care, allowing fellows to enhance clinical judgment, develop leadership skills, and deliver evidence-based services.
Chisato came to LCHC in her final year as a PMHNP student intern from MGH IHP. She then joined LCHC second cohort of PMHNP fellowship program and has been with the center for almost 2 years now.  Chisato has worked directly within SBHC (Callahan and Ingall’s) and YMCA providing developmentally and culturally sensitive care for children and adolescents.  She maintains a full case load on integrated Marigold team managing patients with co-occurring Substance Use Disorders and psychiatric disorders, with a higher degree of skill and compassion.
Chisato also completes waitlist screeners utilizing evidence-based modalities like motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Beyond direct patient care, Chisato advocates for patient needs, earlier intervention and improved long-term outcomes for LCHC young patients. Chisato is a trusted voice and a proven testament to the success of this program and the care nurse practitioners provide every day.

Specialty Clinics-RCC/Community Outreach - Christine Leibert, PMHNP-BC

Working with RCC staff, IMG 9736 Whitting street and My Brothers’ Table sites, Christine has increased behavioral health access through our outreach program, an approach that addresses the complex mental health and social needs of the unhoused population. This outreach directly addresses barriers that prevent unhoused individuals from accessing care in traditional health care settings and meets them where they are.
This “open access” mental health care approach allows unhoused individuals to receive mental health evaluation and services without a prior appointment. The immediate access through outreach is critical for addressing acute needs and engaging patients who may not be able to follow up with scheduled appointments. In following the assertive outreach, Christine actively seeks out and engages with patients who are not otherwise seeking services. This strategy is particularly effective for reaching individuals with serious mental illness who may be socially isolated, distrustful of systems, or unaware of available resources. It allows patients to determine their level of engagement, empower unhoused patients and respects their autonomy. Christine also continues to manage her regular caseload on Purple Team.

Director of the Deborah Smith Walsh Recuperative Care Center & Medical Outreach Program - Gargi B Cooper FNP

I feel very fortunateGargi to be working as a Nurse Practitioner at Lynn community health center serving people experiencing homelessness. I have worked in this specific field for over 20 years. The care I get to provide has been deeply rewarding because it allows me to provide compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals who often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. You become a trusted presence in their lives- an advocate for their needs and helps them navigate complex medical and social challenges. The work through the Recuperative Care Department lets me witness meaningful change, whether it’s stabilizing a chronic condition, supporting someone through recovery, reconnecting with family members, or simply offering dignity and respect in moments when they need it most. Every connection, no matter how small, becomes an opportunity to promote and witness healing, build resilience, and contribute to a more equitable and humane healthcare system.

Specialty Clinics-Urgent Care - Kenneth Chea, PMHNP-BC

The LCHC integratedIMG 6040 care model has placed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) into our urgent care department two days a week. This allows for immediate, walk-in services for non-emergency mental health concerns, provide rapid access to care and prevent conditions from worsening while patients wait for psychopharmacology medication evaluation and psychotherapy appointments.
Kenneth’s presence in urgent care has expanded service capacity and addresses the high volume of mental health needs in the community, especially for those experiencing acute mental distress. These patients receive prompt evaluation and support.  Kenneth helps streamline the coordination of care between urgent care, primary care, and behavioral health services and scheduling future appointments.
Kenneth has increased medication management access at Urgent Care and is also available for walk-ins, curbside consults and scheduled follow-ups. UC access has helped reach our patients with acute needs within a week, if not the same day. Kenneth continues to manage his regular caseload on the Red Team as well, providing culturally competent care especially to our Khmer speaking patients.

Pediatrics - Linda Galligani, RN, PNP

Team Medical Director for Pediatrics & SBHC, Linda Galligani, RN, Pediatric Exam Linda 6PNP, first came to Lynn Community Health Center as a student pursuing her master’s degree in nursing administration. During that time, she had the opportunity to work with Elena Webber, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner on the pediatrics team. Watching Elena in action and seeing what her role entailed inspired Linda to change her career path and become a Nurse Practitioner herself.

She later returned to LCHC as an NP student, once again working alongside Elena, and was eventually hired as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner on the pediatrics team and at the Breed School-Based Health Center. That was in 1998, and she has been part of LCHC ever since.

Linda’s typical day involves seeing pediatric patients for both illnesses and well-child visits. What she loves most about her work is getting to know families over time. “My favorite part of my job is meeting families and watching the kids grow and develop,” she said. “I have been able to see them from birth through various ages until they graduate from high school.”

Over her 27 years at LCHC, Linda has built lasting relationships with families who share both happy and difficult moments with her. “They share with me both the happy times and the hard times, and I have been able to walk them through many obstacles and hard life events. I’ve also seen prom and graduation pictures,” she said.

Linda feels especially proud when one of her pediatric patients tells her about an accomplishment, such as being accepted to college, or when they return as adults and ask her to care for their new baby. “Taking care of pediatric patients during my 27 years here has been a privilege,” she shared.

Specialty Clinics-Medication for Addiction Treatment - Therese Chapajong, PMHNP-BC

Integrating our psychopharmacologyIMG 3877 scaled e1762882428482 PMHNPs with MOUD Same Day Access schedule has increased critical access to life saving treatment to patients. Therese has gone above and beyond in completing extra training and education to provide MAT, offer prompt care and initiate treatment sooner, which is crucial for reducing the risk of overdose and improving retention in treatment. She has been very engaged in increasing her own knowledge and shows exceptional flexibility in taking in patients. Therese’s trusted voice and rapport with patients have helped combat the stigma often associated with seeking help for a SUD and has made patients feel more comfortable, increasing their willingness to access and stay in treatment.

Urgent Care - Whitney Hong, NP

Whitney Hong,Whitney Hong NP, has been part of Lynn Community Health Center for 13 years and brings 16 years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner to our Urgent Care department. Her work provides immediate access to care for patients with a wide range of needs, from mild illnesses to serious concerns such as breathing problems or chest pain.

Whitney’s presence in urgent care ensures that patients receive prompt evaluation and treatment, helping prevent unnecessary emergency room visits and supporting continuity of care within the health center. As a member of the code team, she also responds to medical emergencies across LCHC every Monday, reinforcing the center’s commitment to accessible, responsive care.

Beyond her clinical role, Whitney serves as a preceptor for new providers and students, sharing her knowledge and experience while continuing to learn from her colleagues. Three of her former students have gone on to join LCHC, contributing to the center’s growth and commitment to community health.

Whitney recently cared for a patient with a complex wound and was able to create a treatment plan at LCHC that avoided the need for a specialist referral. The patient’s wound improved significantly, and she was grateful that all her care could be done right here without traveling elsewhere.

For Whitney, community health means adapting to the needs of patients beyond medical issues and working closely with other departments to provide comprehensive support. She has seen LCHC’s urgent care department grow from three to nine full-time providers over the years, reflecting the rising demand for care in the community.

Her approach to “remarkable care” focuses on efficiency and accessibility. “Wait times are very long in ERs, so when we can see a patient quickly after they arrive and discharge them with a treatment plan so they can still go about their day, I think that’s the way healthcare should be, accessible and efficient,” she said.

What keeps Whitney motivated is knowing she’s helping people who truly need her help. “Making healthcare easy to access and as straightforward as possible,” she added. “My coworkers, my fellow providers, nurses, medical assistants, and receptionists are the best, and working with them keeps me here.”

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