Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Boston, MA)
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation announced the 2023-24 Class for Massachusetts Institute for Community Health Leadership (MICHL), a group of 18 health professionals who will gather and collectively work to advance their individual leadership capabilities, enhance their organizations’ influence in public and private health settings, and contribute to building a more equitable health care system.
MICHL has helped develop more than 190 emerging leaders since 2005. The current cohort of participants will be guided by Program Director Sharon Bueno Washington, an organizational development consultant with more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors, with clients from more than 35 countries.
The 2023-24 MICHL participants are:
- Lola Akintobi, Community Engagement Consultant, Community Catalyst
- Leena Aurora, Manager of Health Equity, Population Health, Boston Medical Center
- Gretta Buckley, Manager of Value Based Contract Operations, Community Care Cooperative (C3)
- Divya Chaturvedi, Executive Director, Found in Translation
- Ana Cristina Luna, Chief of Behavioral Health, NEW Health Center
- Karen Duby, Vice President of Behavioral Health, Open Sky Community Services
- Heather Fineberg, Program Manager, Caring & Social Justice, Combined Jewish Philanthropies
- Claudia Fontes, Behavioral Health Integrated Program Manager, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
- Timothy Hesselton, Project Director, Boston Public Health Commission
- Emily Hildebrant, Quality Improvement Manager, Duffy Health Center
- Jessica Isom, Psychiatrist, Codman Square Health Center
- Yemisrach Kibret, Community Advocate/Educator, Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee
- Debbie Lay, Project Manager, Boston Children’s Hospital
- Maile Panerio-Langer, Senior Manager, Parent, Child and Family Policy, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Sarah Primeau, Director of Programs, Health Leads
- Christian Tejeda, Research Project Coordinator, Brigham & Women’s Hospital
- Samantha Veseskis Kramer, Director of Performance Analytics and Data Integrity, Vinfen
- Phyllis Williams-Thompson, Director of Local Public Health Workforce Development, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
MICHL was developed in 2005 by Michael McCormack, who recently retired and transitioned the program leadership to Bueno Washington. She had previously served as Co-Director with McCormack since 2018. Daniel Michaud Weinstock will now serve as co-director of the program.
Contact: 617.246.6783.
The California Endowment (Los Angeles, CA)
The California Endowment announced a call for nominations for the 2024 Youth Awards. There are three opportunities to nominate a powerful youth leader or a youth-serving organization. Nominations are being accepted until December 22, 2023.
- Brandon Harrison Youth Visionary Award recognizes an exceptional young person who has overcome challenges and obstacles to battle back from trauma and place themselves and their community on a path toward success. Brandon Harrison was a youth activist from Stockton, California who was a member of TCE’s President’s Youth Council. In his memory and legacy, this award celebrates young activists who are carrying on the fight for health and racial justice.
- Voices for Change award celebrates the transformative leadership of youth who are achieving health and racial equity through people power. Four youth, one per region, who have done exceptional work in the area of health, justice reform, schools, and inclusive community development will be selected as a recipient.
- Youth Power Partner award celebrates non-profit organizations who are cultivating pathways for youth power. The organization selected can be a youth-led advocacy organization or an adult ally-led organization supporting youth voice and power.
All winners will be honored at a special event July 27, 2024 at the Dr. Beatriz Solis Hall at The California Endowment.
To learn more about each award category, click here.