Celebrating the People Behind Our Mission: 2026 Annual Staff Awards

55 years of caring for our community. One extraordinary team.

On October 29, Lynn Community Health Center brought together staff, leadership, and members of our Board of Directors for the 2026 Annual Staff Awards and Anniversary Banquet, an evening dedicated to recognizing the people who make our mission possible.

This year’s celebration was especially meaningful as we mark 55 years of serving the Lynn community. From our beginnings on Chestnut Street, caring for just 500 patients, to the comprehensive community health organization we are today, our history has always been built by people who believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care.

Every team member plays an important role in our mission.

Whether providing direct patient care, supporting our patients and families, maintaining our facilities and technology, managing essential operations, or working in our schools and throughout the community, every contribution matters. Behind every appointment, every service, and every connection is a dedicated colleague helping make a difference.

Recognizing Excellence, Leadership, and Innovation

The annual staff awards recognize colleagues who go above and beyond in advancing our mission, strengthening our organization, and supporting one another. This year’s honorees represent the extraordinary talent, compassion, creativity, and leadership found throughout Lynn Community Health Center.

The Andrea Gaulzetti Award for Excellence in Community Health honors an employee who embodies the qualities that defined the late Andrea Gaulzetti, LCHC’s former Chief Nursing Officer and a beloved colleague, mentor, and advocate for patients and staff.

This year’s recipient, Alyssa Ruiz, Physician Associate and Project Advisor, was recognized for 15 years of dedicated service, her leadership in advancing organizational initiatives, and her commitment to improving patient care and access to services.

Colleagues also celebrated Alyssa’s kindness, compassion, and ability to bring people together. Her dedication to lifelong learning, recently earning her Master of Public Health while balancing her career and family, further reflects the spirit of growth and service that this award represents.

Innovation means more than adopting new technology. It means looking at challenges differently, recognizing new possibilities, and finding better ways to serve our patients and support our people.

The Digital Solutions Department was recognized for its work advancing technology and innovation across LCHC. From helping bring advanced AI technology into the patient experience through key partnerships to developing internal solutions like our Welcome Center patient calling system and Otto, our help desk assistant, the team is finding practical ways to improve how we work.

Their contributions extend beyond our organization, too. Through collaboration across the OCHIN network, solutions developed at LCHC are helping other health centers, and the team’s work has earned national recognition, including an OCHIN Innovation Award for our patient voter registration initiative.

Their work keeps our organization running today while helping build the foundation for the future of healthcare.

Strong leadership often happens behind the scenes, bringing people together, navigating change, and building systems that allow an entire organization to succeed.

Stephan Marchand, Corporate Controller, received this year’s Leadership Award for his steady leadership and significant contributions to LCHC’s financial operations.

In his first year as Controller, Stephan led the transformation of our accounting system from a largely manual process to a modern platform providing real-time financial insights and comprehensive reporting, all without disrupting operations or missing a reporting deadline.

He has also guided LCHC through four consecutive clean external audits while overseeing nearly $1 billion in cumulative financial activity over four years. His integrity, expertise, and commitment to responsible stewardship help ensure that our organization remains financially strong and well-positioned to serve our community.

Some of the most meaningful contributions to our patients happen in the simplest moments: a welcoming smile, a reassuring word, the kindness that helps someone feel comfortable asking for care.

This year’s CEO Award recognized four colleagues whose consistent compassion and welcoming presence have transformed the patient experience for thousands of people.

Congratulations to our four Super Greeters:

• Kelly Rosales Yanes
• Laura Rosas
• Saima Tithy
• Tavy-Anna Chheng

These colleagues were celebrated for the patience, grace, and genuine care they bring to every interaction, even in challenging situations. Their work reminds us that excellence isn’t always measured by grand achievements. Sometimes, it is found in the everyday acts of humanity that make people feel seen, respected, and welcome.

Celebrating the People Who Helped Build Our Organization

The evening also recognized the dedication and service of members of our Board of Directors, whose leadership and advocacy have helped strengthen LCHC and advance our mission.

Three outgoing Board members received special recognition for their contributions:

• James Heffernan, recipient of the Fiscal Stewardship Award, for his exceptional financial leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to strengthening LCHC’s financial foundation.
• Kiriath AJ Saing, recipient of the Legacy of Service Award, for more than two decades of service, advocacy, and dedication to our community, particularly the Khmer community.
• Drew Russo, recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award, for nine years of exceptional leadership, including his service as Board Chair.

Drew Russo also received the 2026 John S. Moran Community Service Award, recognizing his longstanding commitment to the City of Lynn through public service, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and community involvement. His ability to bring people together and keep the needs of the community at the center of his work reflects the spirit of this longstanding award.

Celebrating Milestones and Years of Service

One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was recognizing colleagues celebrating milestone anniversaries with Lynn Community Health Center.

This year, we celebrated employees marking 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service, along with colleagues who have dedicated 25, 30, 35, and even 45 years to our organization.

These milestones represent much more than time spent at work. They reflect years of caring for patients, supporting families, mentoring colleagues, adapting to change, and helping our organization grow alongside the community we serve.

Special recognition went to several colleagues celebrating 25 years of service:

• Irina Velazquez, recognized for her exceptional patient advocacy, compassion, and dedication to helping patients remain engaged in their care.
• Chantal Sim Em, a valued member of our WIC Department, whose warmth, bilingual communication, and dedication have supported families across our Salem and Peabody locations.
• Dr. William Eaves, instrumental in founding our dental clinic in 2001 and a dedicated mentor to generations of dentists, students, and residents.

We also recognized colleagues celebrating significant milestones who were unable to attend the banquet:

• 25 years: Soeun Sath, Guillermina Montano, and Thyda Dos
• 30 years: Emily Turner-Russo and Yelena Sitnikova
• 45 years: Mary Kalapinski

And a special congratulations to Lucy Emple, who retired after 35 years with LCHC.

Honoring Retirees and the Legacies They’ve Built

We also took time to recognize colleagues whose years of service have left a lasting impact on our patients, our organization, and the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Mirna Panameno, Behavioral Health Therapist, is retiring at the end of this year after 11 years with LCHC. Throughout her career, she supported students and adult patients, with a particular dedication to older Spanish-speaking adults who often face language and cultural barriers to care. Her advocacy, mentorship, and willingness to support colleagues and students have made her an invaluable part of our team.

Alex Thomas, a nurse in our Infectious Disease Department, is preparing for retirement after 27 years of service. Alex has provided exceptional care and support to patients living with HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B, building relationships and earning the trust of patients over many years. His compassion, clinical expertise, and generosity as a colleague, teacher, and mentor have touched countless lives. We wish him a wonderful retirement filled with sailing, rowing, skiing, and time outdoors.

We also celebrated Dr. Eileen Fisk, who retired earlier this year after 21 years with LCHC. Beginning her connection with our organization as a resident, Dr. Fisk returned because of her deep belief in our mission. She became a trusted pediatrician to generations of families, advocated for children and medically complex patients, and helped care for Lynn’s Somali refugee community. Through her clinical work, mentorship, and dedication, she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. As one young patient’s drawing above her desk reminded her, she was affectionately known as “Dr. Fix.”

To Mirna, Alex, Eileen, Lucy, and all of our retiring colleagues: thank you for the care, knowledge, compassion, and commitment you have shared with our organization and community.

55 Years of Service. One Community. One Team.

As Lynn Community Health Center celebrates 55 years, we recognize that our greatest strength has never been just our buildings, programs, or services. It is our people.

It is the colleagues who show up every day, the teams who find new ways to solve problems, the mentors who help others grow, and the staff members who make patients and families feel welcome and cared for.

Our work is not always easy, and there is always more to do. But together, we continue to learn, grow, innovate, and find new ways to meet the needs of our community.

To everyone who makes Lynn Community Health Center what it is today: thank you. Your dedication matters. Your work matters. And the difference you make in the lives of our patients, families, and community matters.

Here’s to 55 years of service, and to the people who will carry our mission forward for generations to come.