Sue Levine Named Mass League Board Chair

Lowell-based CEO to Lead Board at Critical Time for Community Health

BOSTON – August 26, 2026– The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (the Mass League) is proud to announce Susan West Levine as the next Chair of its Board of Directors. Levine, the CEO of Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC), previously served as Second Vice Chair from 2024 to 2026.

During her decade of leadership at Lowell CHC, Levine has strengthened access to high-quality care for the Greater Lowell community, especially its underserved populations. Under Levine’s leadership, Lowell CHC expanded primary care and added dental and vision services, while also implementing a COVID-19 vaccine rollout that broke down barriers to ensure widespread uptake. Her commitment to access and stewardship of the organization contributed to the health center being named a Top 100 Women-Led Business for seven consecutive years by Boston Globe Magazine and the Commonwealth Institute.

“Sue Levine is the kind of leader our movement needs as we confront an evolving and challenging health care landscape,” said Michael Curry, President & CEO of the Mass League. “With her long record of expanding access to care, her commitment to health center patients, and her innovative spirit, she will make a meaningful impact in helping the Mass League strengthen health center sustainability and protect comprehensive care in the communities we serve.”

One example of her commitment to innovation is the establishment of the Lowell Community Health Center | Tufts Medicine | Family Medicine Residency, only the second to be housed in a Massachusetts health center. Amid a statewide primary care staffing shortage, the residency is a primary care workforce pipeline that feeds directly to Lowell CHC and its patients, many of whom have unmet health care needs. Residents train alongside Lowell Community Health Center physician faculty who also serve as faculty of Tufts University School of Medicine, combining academic strength with meaningful connection to patients and the community. 

“Primary care access in Massachusetts is already under tremendous strain, and community health centers are caring for patients with increasingly complex needs while competing for a workforce that simply is not large enough to meet demand,” said Levine. “As Board Chair, I look forward to working alongside health center leaders, partners, and advocates to help shape a stronger primary care system for the communities we serve. At Lowell Community Health Center, everything we have accomplished has been possible because of the commitment of our staff, patients, Board members, and community partners working together. That same spirit of collaboration defines the community health center movement across Massachusetts, and I look forward to building on that strength to protect access to care.”

Levine succeeds Karen Gardner, CEO of Community Health Center of Cape Cod, whose term as Board Chair ended in May 2026.

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