News

Whittier Street Health Center CEO Frederica M. Williams Recipient of 2023 Joan Wallace Leadership Award

  • June 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Nicole Joy Hales, PRfirst, 617-947-7983, nhales@prfirst.com

 

Whittier Street Health Center CEO Frederica M. Williams Recipient of 2023 Joan Wallace Leadership Award

BOSTON, MA, ISSUED JUNE 01, 2023… Frederica M. Williams, president and CEO of Whittier Street Health Center, a community health center with a mission to serve as a center of excellence that provides high quality and accessible health care and social services that achieve health equity, social justice, and the economic well-being of a diverse patient population, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Joan Wallace Leadership Award, which was announced at the May 25th annual Equal Opportunity and Diversity Breakfast hosted by the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM) at the State Street Pavilion – Fenway Park.

The prestigious Joan Wallace Benjamin Leadership Award recognizes the legacy of Dr. Joan Wallace Benjamin, the highly accomplished President and CEO of ULEM from 1989 to 2000. It is presented to a nonprofit leader who exemplifies exceptional leadership qualities and a compassionate and empathetic approach to serving her community.

Williams was selected for the high honor based on her dedication and Whittier Street Health Center’s unwavering commitment and contributions to promoting equal opportunity and diversity. She was commended for having made “a significant impact,” “being a role model to many” and for a life’s work that “is a testament to your commitment to making a positive change.”

“It is a true privilege to receive the Dr. Joan Wallace Benjamin Leadership Award from the esteemed Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts,” said Williams. “I take great pride in it and share that pride with my outstanding team at Whittier Street Health Center.”

The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (www.ulem.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and one of the oldest affiliates within the National Urban League movement. Its mission is to enable adults in Eastern MA to overcome racial, social barriers, economic inequities, sexual and domestic violence to employment and economic development opportunities. For 100 years, ULEM’s programs and services have given hope to participants and made a lasting, impactful statement in the community.

 

About Whittier Street Health Center

Whittier Street Health Center is an independently licensed community health care center with a mission of providing high quality, reliable and accessible primary healthcare for diverse populations while promoting wellness and eliminating health and social disparities. A champion of equitable access to high quality, patient-focused care, social justice and economic equity, Whittier Street Health Center is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC), certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, and recognized by the NCQA for its Behavioral Health Integration. Through its locations in Roxbury and North Dorchester, and its Mobile Health Van program, Whittier Street Health Center serves more than 30,000 patients and 20,000 community outreach visits annually; its ethnically and racially diverse patient base is primarily made up of individuals from Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, the South End and greater Boston. Approximately 28% of Whittier’s patients are uninsured. Whittier Street Health Center provides a comprehensive array of 40 healthcare programs and services designed to meet the primary health care, behavioral health, and social needs of the community. For more information, please visit www.wshc.org as well as Facebook (www.facebook.com/WhittierStreetHealthCenter), Twitter (@Whittier_Boston), or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/whittier-street-health-center), or call 617-989-3221.

A note about Whittier and COVID-19

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in our area, we ask all clients and patients to call ahead before coming to any of our sites. We are working to take care of most clients/patients via phone/video encounter so we can meet your ongoing healthcare needs. This is for your safety and so we can provide the highest quality of care to you while following CDC guidance for COVID-19. Please call 617-427-1000 for any questions or concerns.

Whittier will provide COVID-19 testing from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday. Following CDC guidance, we recommend testing if you have a fever AND one of the following three symptoms: cough OR shortness of breath OR sore throat. Please bring your picture identification and your insurance card (if you have insurance).