Each year, Advocates for Community Health (ACH) nominates an Advocate of the Year, an award to recognize an individual from a member community health center who has excelled in grassroots advocacy. The Advocate of the Year provides policy and advocacy leadership to ACH through its committees, promotes public policies to significantly impact the Health Center Program, and inspires others to take action throughout the year. The goal of the award is to promote year-round advocacy and acknowledge the positive effects of a single advocate.
This year, the nominees for Advocate of the Year are:
- Nekeisha Afful – Chief Business Officer, Morris Heights Health Center located in NY (serves on Payment Reform/Value-Based Care Committee)
- Chris Bates – Corporate Compliance Officer, Mountain Comprehensive Health Center located in KY (serves on Funding and Membership Committees)
- Kelly Carlson – Chief Administrative Officer, Columbia Basin Health Association located in WA (serves on Workforce Committee)
- Joao Faustino – AVP of Government Affairs & Advocacy, Sun River located in NY (serves on Funding, 340B Reform, and Payment Reform/Value-Based Care Committees)
- Brynn Felix – General Counsel, Peninsula Community Health Services located in WA (on Membership Committee and Emerging Issues Committee)
- Roberta Kelly – Chief Nursing Officer, Sun River Health located in NY (serves on Emerging Issues Committee)
- Vernita Todd – VP Senior Health Services, San Ysidro Health located in CA (serves on Funding and Payment Reform/Value-Based Care Committees)
- Ashaki Williams-Burgess – CHRO/COO, Tampa Family Health Centers located in CA (serves on Programs Committee)
Selection Criteria:
- Is a member of ACH.
- Participates in one or more ACH committees or subcommittees.
- Participates in ACH advocacy events.
Nominees have made documented contributions in the following areas:
- Has proven and successful advocacy outcomes with national and/or state-level advocacy initiatives.
- Has taken action to advance ACH’s public policy priorities.
- Has encouraged/supported/motivated their colleagues to participate in ACH’s advocacy work.
ACH will announce the 2025 Advocate of the Year winner during its Annual Member Meeting, which will be held March 25 – 27, 2025, in Washington, DC.