For Women's History Month, Dr. Cheryl Clark, the Institute's executive director and senior vice president, asked four amazing women leaders of community health centers in Massachusetts to share their perspectives on women's leadership:

Tania Barber, President and CEO of Caring Health Center, Inc. Elizabeth Browne, MBA, CEO of Charles River Community Health Sheila Och, MPH, Chief Engagement and Equity Officer at Lowell Community Health Center Sue Joss, CEO at Brockton Neighborhood Health Center

Each leader shared their background, expertise, and insights regarding women's leadership in health equity, particularly within community health centers across Massachusetts.

By examining the past, we can gain valuable insights for the future. This discussion explored the path each leader took and the adversity they faced to thrive in the position they're in now. It's important to highlight the essential themes that equip leaders, especially women, to effectively address the diverse needs of populations served by primary care facilities in our state.

Women Leading the Charge: Achieving Health Equity in Massachusetts

Dr. Cheryl Clark (CC): What drew you to a career serving patients within community health centers?

Tania Barber: "It is a calling rather than just a job. Instead of seeing individuals as patients, I prioritize seeing them as human beings serving with compassion and understanding, which has been my passion even before working in community healthcare.

In 1996, the springboard of my journey at Springfield Southwest Community Health Center (later renamed as Caring Health Center) began as a switchboard operator. I worked out of what is now known as 'The Call Center,' which was one of my favorite positions. I had no idea that my time at the Call Center would eventually become the foundation of my career and the evolution of my calling. The word ''Switchboard' originated from a device allowing interchangeable connections between many circuits. Currently, I am the Chief Executive Officer, but I still see myself as the Switchboard."

Elizabeth Browne, MBA: "I was first introduced to community health centers in the early to mid-1990s while working as a Policy Analyst for the Hospital Payment System Advisory Committee early in my career. One of the Board members was the CEO of a health center, and once I learned of their mission and the patients served, I was hooked! It felt very important for me to choose a career path in healthcare that aligned with my values, and community health centers were the perfect fit. In addition, I saw that many community health centers were led by women and had women in other key leadership roles. It was exciting to think about working in that environment and how I might contribute and grow."

CC: Why are community health centers so impactful for improving community health?

Sue Joss: "Community health centers are impactful in improving community health because we take a broader view of health than most private practices. We work with the community to enhance social drivers of health, which impact the health of the community as a whole, not just our patients. In addition, our focus on prevention and addressing barriers to care makes a difference in keeping patients healthy, rather than waiting for them to become sick enough for hospital and specialty-level care. Finally, we are impactful because we have community Boards, the majority of whom are our patients. This gives us first-hand information about the gaps in care and needs of our community so we can strategize to address them."

Sheila Och, MPH: "CHCs play a critical role in improving the health of our communities in several ways. We are accessible and located intentionally and strategically in areas that have been historically underserved and under-resourced, focusing on preventative care and addressing the whole person's needs, including social, emotional, and cultural factors.

We are culturally proficient - health centers employ staff from the communities in which they are located, assuring that we bring that community expertise into our approaches, fostering trust and understanding and leading to improved patient-provider relationships and better health outcomes.

We aim to actively engage our communities and collaborate in health initiatives, outreach programs, and health education. This engagement helps foster a sense of ownership and empowerment, centers our communities' voices and strengths in our work, and advances our mission to bridge the gap in health disparities."

CC: Are there women in community health centers who have inspired your work or shaped the healthcare field as we know it today?

Sheila Och, MPH: "Yes, and too many to name! Many trailblazers have inspired me and made incredible contributions to our community health center movement. All have demonstrated courage, love, resilience, innovation, and total commitment to health and racial justice, empowerment, and improving the lives of our communities. One such person is Dolores Fernandez Huerta, a staunch advocate for civil rights and healthcare access for agricultural workers. She earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work and has been an instrument of change. Her words 'Sí, Se Puede!' motivate and inspire me to this day. I had the incredible honor of meeting her at a NACHC conference in 2015."

Elizabeth Browne, MBA: "Absolutely! I am in awe of the women health center leaders who have come before me and whom I've had the privilege to be colleagues with, as well as their bold vision and work. I was appointed CEO of Charles River Community Health after the retirement of my predecessor, Kathy Phenix, who came to CHCs after decades in the banking industry and led a successful financial turnaround of the health center that was very difficult and put the organization back on track. In my 20 years at Charles River Community Health, I've seen the incredible, forward-thinking leadership of past women health center CEOs, including Toni McGuire, Fran Anthes, Lori Berry, and Myechia Minter Jordan, as well as Sue Joss and Sandra Cotterell. They have laid the foundation and driven their health centers forward to meet the moment and best serve their communities. And there are so many strong women CHC CEOs now, there are too many to mention! How many industries can you say that about? It's really been an honor to work among the best in the community health center movement."

CC: Why is it important to have a diverse and inclusive workforce in healthcare, with a strong representation of women?

Tania Barber: "It is crucial to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of society and can relate to the people they serve. Gender diversity also promotes equality and fairness. Women are inspirational, nurturing, and more apt to mentor. When young girls see women in positions of power, they are more apt to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams."

Elizabeth Browne, MBA: "It is vital to have a diverse and inclusive healthcare workforce, including a strong representation of women, to ensure that all perspectives are considered and heard from front-line staff through to executive leadership. Women lead differently, bringing a collaborative, inclusive, data-driven approach to leadership. Most of us have had to work hard to prove ourselves throughout our careers, and so, as leaders, we lean in to obtain input, constructive feedback, and information to make key decisions and set strategies. Women CEO leaders in the community health center movement are one of its strongest assets, and they will help drive the movement's continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and result in success for years to come."

In 2023, The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League) created the Institute for Health Equity Research, Evaluation and Policy, Inc. (IHE), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to support Emancipatory research driven by community health centers.

Our mission is to promote and engage in community driven research, evaluation, and public policy to achieve health equality equity.

IHE convenes communities and supports the scientific infrastructure, implementation, program evaluation and training needed to identify and sustain the most effective strategies for attaining equity in health and healthcare, as defined by those with lived experience of health inequities.

Learn more about IHE on our webpage of the Mass League website and on our LinkedIn page.