One of the highlights of our annual Policy & Issues Forum is the announcement of the Geiger Gibson Emerging Leaders. Awarded jointly by NACHC and the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy at the George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, the award honors young professionals from Community Health Centers and primary care associations across the county whose work embodies the spirit of the health center movement.
“We salute this new generation of leaders who reinvigorate our mission with their energy, achievements and commitment to health equity,” said Rachel Gonzales-Hanson, NACHC’s interim President and CEO. “The Community Health Center Movement, now more than 55 years young, endures thanks to the bold ideas and innovative solutions these leaders bring to the challenges of our time.”
Established by the Geiger Gibson Program in 2007, the award is named in honor of Drs. H. Jack Geiger and Count Gibson, pioneers for community health and human rights. The key qualities of leadership highlighted by this award are commitment, motivation, professional achievement, and leadership qualities that together further the health center mission.
After a competitive selection process, the 2022 Emerging Leader Award was bestowed on 15 health center leaders. See list below.
View Geiger Gibson Program press release about the award.
2022 Emerging Leader Award Recipients
Natassia Allen
Director of Business Development
Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Okatie, SC
Anthony DiBendetto
Patient Engagement Manager
Oak Orchard Health, Brockport, NY
Troy Chaffin
Chief Operating Officer
Lorain County Health & Dentistry, Lorain, OH
Dr. Crysta Chatman
Medical Director
Unity Healthcare, Washington DC
Dora Correal
Director of Community Equity
Neighborhood Outreach Access, Phoenix, AZ
Karen Espinoza
Patient Access Supervisor
Denver Health, Denver, CO
Dr. Veronica Alvarez-Galiana
Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Community Health of South Florida, Miami, FL
Dr. Wilfredo Giordano-Perez
Medical Director
Tri-County Community Action Agency, Johnston, Rhode Island
Dr. Rebecca Hayes
Chief Medical Officer
Community Health Care, Davenport, IA
Felix Hernandez
Advocacy and Fatherhood Supervisor
Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, Washington, DC
Dr. Gloria Itzel Montiel
Director of Community Engaged Research
AltaMed Health Services, Los Angeles, CA
Carissa Munoz
Long Island Regional Vice President of Operations
Sun River Health, Amityville, NY
Alice Steiner
Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy
Colorado Community Health Network, Denver, CO
Tiffany Turner
Chief Operations Officer
Dientes Community Dental Care, Santa Cruz, CA
Rena Wang
Program Manager
Asian Health Services, Oakland, CA