News Release

Geiger Gibson Program recognizes 8 emerging leaders at annual symposium

Grant and Award Announcement

George Washington University

WASHINGTON – Each year, the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy of the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) honors young Emerging Leaders in community health. Emerging Leaders are nominated by community health centers and primary care associations nationally and are selected by a committee drawn from the senior health center leadership. Award recipients are announced at the annual winter meeting of the National Association of Community Health Centers during the Geiger Gibson Symposium.

"Our Emerging Leaders reflect the enormous range of talented young people who have made a career in the health center family and personify the enduring strength of health centers," said Sara Rosenbaum, JD, the Harold and Jane Hirsh Professor of Health Law and Policy and founder of the Geiger Gibson Program at SPHHS.

Julio Bellber, President and CEO of the RCHN Community Health Foundation, whose ongoing gift supports the activities of the Geiger Gibson Program, added, "the Emerging Leaders selected each year represent the future of health centers. The policy and program advocates, clinicians, health educators, and clinic administrators recognized each year truly will become the next generation of senior leaders."

The following 8 individuals were selected as 2013 Emerging Leaders:

2013 Emerging Leaders Award Recipients

RENATO BARUCCO
Community Healthcare Network, Bronx, NY

PHARA BENOIT
Jessie Trice Community Health Center, Inc., Miami, FL

STACY CRASE
Foothills Health and Wellness, Clay City, KY

SARAH DIXON GALE
Iowa Primary Care Association, Urbandale, IA

MABLE DUNN
Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc., Washington, DC

DUSTIN PARKER
McGrath Regional Health Center, McGrath, AK

ANGELICA ROJAS
San Benito Health Foundation, Hollister, CA

ELIZABETH WEST
Health Partners of Western Ohio, Lima, OH

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About the Emerging Leader Award:

The Emerging Leader award was 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 The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. Housed in the Department of Health Policy, 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. For more information on the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy, visit http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/departments/healthpolicy/ggprogram

About the RCHN Community Health Foundation:

The RCHN Community Health Foundation is a not-for-profit operating 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. For more information, visit http://www.rchnfoundation.org.

About the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services:

Established in July 1997, the School of Public Health and Health Services brought together three longstanding university programs in the schools of medicine, business, and education and is now the only school of public health in the nation's capital. Today, more than 1,100 students from nearly every U.S. state and more than 40 nations pursue undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level degrees in public health. http://sphhs.gwu.edu/


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