For Immediate Release: April 22, 2020
Media Contacts: Kathy Fackelmann, kfackelmann@gwu.edu, 202-994-8354
Mina Radman, mradman@gwu.edu, 202-486-2529
Geiger Gibson Program Recognizes 12 Emerging Leaders
WASHINGTON, DC and NEW YORK, NY (April 22, 2020) – Each year, the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH) honors young professionals who are making significant impacts to community health and health centers. Community health centers and primary care associations nominate young staff members whose contributions to their field exemplify the mission and vision of H. Jack Geiger and Count Gibson, pioneers for community health and human rights.
From a very competitive pool of applicants, 12 emerging leaders from across the country have been awarded with the “Emerging Leader” distinction.
“These emerging leaders represent the next generation of the community health center movement,” said Sara Rosenbaum, JD, the Harold and Jane Hirsh Professor of Health Law and Policy and founder of the Geiger Gibson Program at the Milken Institute SPH. “Their commitment, motivation, and professional achievements have furthered the mission of health centers, and we are honored to recognize their accomplishments.”
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 12,000 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 28 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 truly are the future of America’s health center program. We are delighted to recognize their achievements in the field today as clinicians, managers, health educators and public health experts, and anticipate their contributions in the years ahead,” said Feygele Jacobs, President and CEO of the RCHN Community Health Foundation, whose ongoing gift supports the Geiger Gibson Program.
2020 Emerging Leader Award Recipients
Keila Brown-Jones, DNP, AGNP-C, MHSA
Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, Jackson, MS
Darielys Cordero, MPH, DrPHc
Director of Special Programs
Asociación de Salud Primaria de Puerto Rico (ASPPR), San Juan, PR
Diana Filipa dos Santos Faustino, MS, CNM
Chief of Staff & Certified Nurse Midwife
Hudson River Health Care, Tarrytown, NY
Oscar Fletes
Director of General Services
Omni Family Health, Bakersfield, CA
Palak Jalan, BDS, MPH
Sr. Director of Population Health
AccessHealth, Richmond, TX
Kathryn Magnoli, MBA
Chief of Staff
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Boston MA
Jeff McGlade
Director of Information Technology
PrimaryOne Health, Columbus, OH
Yui Nishiike, NP
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Clinical Innovations
LifeLong Medical Care, Berkeley, CA
Janely Perez, LCSW-R
Director of Vida Guidance Center
Urban Health Plan, Inc., Bronx, NY
Jean Reidy, MSN, MPH, ANP-C
Senior Director of Nursing & Clinical Transformation
Erie Family Health Centers, Chicago, IL
Andrea Schwab-Galindo, MPH
Chief, Administrative Officer
Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Hayward, CA
Jerry Trigueros
Director of Patient Services
Northern Nevada HOPES, Reno, NV
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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:
The Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University is the only school of public health in the nation’s capital.
