10-30-14 Feature Story:
The City of Boston and those of us who work in Public and Community Health have lost a man of leadership, compassion and action.
At his core, Mayor Tom Menino was a social justice activist who understood that an individual's health status is inextricably linked to their educational and economic opportunities. He was a good friend to all of the City's neighborhoods and the community health centers that serve them. Angered by the higher rates of chronic disease and mortality within Boston's racially and ethnically diverse communities, Mayor Menino partnered with our nationally-renowned health centers and hospitals to make sure that every Bostonian has access to the best health care our City has to offer.
Whether he was managing flu epidemics, spearheading the annual homeless count, ensuring the long-term viability of Boston's prized safety net hospital or providing leadership on cutting-edge public health issues like smoking bans in public spaces and clean needle exchanges for preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS, Tom Menino's agenda was always clear, consistent and inclusive.
We will sorely miss his presence as an enduring champion of the people.
James W. Hunt, Jr.
President & CEO
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
