WASHINGTON, DC and NEW YORK, NY (February 22, 2022) – The Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy at the George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health and the National Association of Community Health Centers jointly announced their 2022 Emerging Leaders. This award, established by the Geiger Gibson Program, honors young professionals who are making a significant impact on community health through their leadership at the nation’s community health centers. Community health centers and primary care associations nominate young staff members whose contributions to their field exemplify the mission and vision of Drs. H. Jack Geiger and Count Gibson, pioneers for community health and human rights.
From a very competitive pool of applicants, 15 Emerging Leaders from across the country were awarded with the Emerging Leader distinction. However, all leaders nominated for this year’s award brought superb qualifications, and exemplify leadership in community health.
“These Emerging Leaders were nominated because commitment, vision and hard work have advanced the mission of community health centers,” Sara Rosenbaum, the Harold and Jane Hirsh Professor of Health Law and Policy and founder of the Geiger Gibson Program at GW, said. “We are honored to recognize their accomplishments as the next generation of the community health movement.”
“We salute this new generation of leaders who reinvigorate our mission with their energy, achievements and commitment to health equity,” Rachel Gonzales-Hanson, interim President and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers, said. “The Community Health Center Movement, now more than 55 years young, endures thanks to the bold ideas and innovative solutions these leaders bring to the challenges of our time.”
The community health center movement has grown tremendously since its conception over a half century ago, from just two clinics in the late 1960s to nearly 1,400 health centers operating in over 13,500 urban and rural locations across the country today. The Emerging Leaders awarded by the Geiger Gibson Program provide essential contributions at their organizations to improve the health of the more than 29 million patients that receive care at health centers annually. Community health centers are a vital source of health care in medically underserved communities and provide culturally competent, community-based care regardless of a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay.
“The professionals recognized as Emerging Leaders are truly the future of America’s health center program. We are delighted to recognize their extraordinary work as policy and program advocates, clinicians, health educators and administrators and anticipate their contributions to sustaining and growing America’s community health centers.” Feygele Jacobs, President and CEO of the RCHN Community Health Foundation, whose ongoing gift supports the Geiger Gibson Program, said.
2022 Emerging Leader Award Recipients and Nominees
* 2022 Emerging Leader Award Recipient
Alice Steiner*
Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy
Colorado Community Health Network, Denver, CO
Anthony DiBendetto*
Patient Engagement Manager
Oak Orchard Health, Brockport, NY
Carissa Munoz*
Long Island Regional Vice President of Operations
Sun River Health, Amityville, NY
Cassidy Heit
Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
Oklahoma Primary Care Association, Oklahoma City, OK
Dr. Crysta Chatman*
Medical Director
Unity Healthcare, Washington DC
Crystal Lopez
VP Quality Management Program and Clinical Analytics
Miami Beach Community Health Center, North Miami, FL
Cyrus B Winnett
Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Governmental Affairs
Illinois Primary Health Care Association, Springfield, IL
David Poms
Manager of Partnerships
DC Primary Care Association, Washington, DC
Dora Correal*
Director of Community Equity
Neighborhood Outreach Access, Phoenix, AZ
Felix Hernandez*
Advocacy and Fatherhood Supervisor
Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, Washington, DC
Dr. Gloria Itzel Montiel*
Director of Community Engaged Research
AltaMed Health Services, Los Angeles, CA
Isabel Odean
Director of Practice Management
Care for the Homeless, New York, NY
Jasmine Page
Transformation Project Facilitator
Indiana Primary Health Care Association, Indianapolis, NY
Karen Espinoza*
Patient Access Supervisor
Denver Health, Denver, CO
Kelci Osborn
Director of Population Health
Eagle View Community Health Systems, Oquawka, IL
Kirstian Brady
Executive Assistant
East Texas Community Health Services, Nacogdoches, TX
Marie Mongeon
Senior Director of Policy
Community Health Care Association of NY State, New York, NY
Natassia Allen*
Director of Business Development
Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Okatie, SC
Randall Gann
Chief Financial Officer
Missouri Ozarks Community Health, Ava, MO
Dr. Rebecca Hayes*
Chief Medical Officer
Community Health Care, Davenport, IA
Rena Wang*
Program Manager
Asian Health Services, Oakland, CA
Scott Stewart
Development & Special Projects Specialist
Honor COmmunity Health, Pontiac, MI
Stephanie Castaño
Transformation Senior Manager
Oregon Primary Care Association, Portland, OR
Tiffany Turner*
Chief Operations Officer
Dientes Community Dental Care, Santa Cruz, CA
Troy Chaffin*
Chief Operating Officer
Lorain County Health & Dentistry, Lorain, OH
Dr. Veronica Alvarez-Galiana*
Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Community Health of South Florida, Miami, FL
Dr. Wilfredo Giordano-Perez*
Medical Director
Tri-County Community Action Agency, Johnston, Rhode Island
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About the Emerging Leader Awards:
The Emerging Leader Awards were established in 2007 to highlight and share with the health center community the accomplishments of a new generation of health center leaders. One or more Emerging Leaders are selected annually by the Program, with the assistance of an advisory group comprised of health center leaders. The key qualities of leadership highlighted by this award are commitment, motivation, professional achievement, and leadership qualities that together further the health center mission.
About the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy:
The Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy is a special initiative of Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. Housed in the Department of Health Policy and Management, and named after Drs. H. Jack Geiger and Count Gibson, pioneers in community health practice and tireless advocates for civil and human rights, the program aims to develop the next generation of community health leaders by offering education, research and training in community health practice and leadership. The program’s research and educational activities seek to advance the education and policy development in the fields of health centers, primary health care for medically underserved populations, and health disparities reduction. The Geiger Gibson Program also offers a Fellows program, a health policy elective for medical residents, scholarship opportunities, an annual Distinguished Visitorship and more.
About the RCHN Community Health Foundation: The RCHN Community Health Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation established to support community health centers through strategic investment, outreach, education, and cutting-edge health policy research. The only foundation in the U.S. dedicated solely to community health centers, RCHN CHF builds on a long-standing commitment to providing accessible, high-quality, community-based healthcare services for underserved and medically vulnerable populations. The Foundation’s gift to the Geiger Gibson program supports health center research and scholarship.
About Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University:
Established in July 1997 as the School of Public Health and Health Services, Milken Institute School of Public Health is the only school of public health in the nation’s capital. Today, more than 1,900 students from 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 50 countries pursue undergraduate, graduate and doctoral-level degrees in public health. The school also offers an online Master of Public Health, MPH@GW, and an online Executive Master of Health Administration, MHA@GW, which allow students to pursue their degree from anywhere in the world.