Washington, D.C. — Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of Sun River Health, was honored with the inaugural Legacy Leadership Award from Advocates for Community Health (ACH) at the organization’s Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2026. The award was presented by ACH CEO Amanda Pears Kelly in recognition of Nolon’s decades of leadership, advocacy, and lasting impact on the community health center movement.
The Legacy Leadership Award was established by ACH in honor of Nolon, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to advancing community health centers nationwide. Nolon was also one of ACH’s 14 founding members when the organization launched in 2021, joining fellow health center leaders to strengthen national advocacy for community health centers and the patients they serve.
For nearly 50 years, Nolon has led Sun River Health, guiding its growth from a single health center site into a comprehensive system of more than 50 locations serving communities across New York and the surrounding region. Under her leadership, Sun River Health has become a cornerstone of the health care safety net, providing primary care, behavioral health, dental services, and other essential services to patients regardless of their ability to pay.
“Anne represents the best of the Health Center Program – a leader who has always centered her work on patients, who understands that health care is not just about services, but about dignity, access and community,” said Amanda Pears Kelly, CEO of Advocates for Community Health. “I am so grateful for Anne’s wisdom in helping to shape ACH and for her five decades of persistent leadership to make the Health Center Program what it is today – the largest network of primary care providers in the nation. I am honored to recognize her remarkable legacy.”
Reflecting on the recognition, Nolon expressed gratitude for the community leaders and advocates who helped lay the foundation for the health center movement in her community.
“I have huge gratitude for being recognized for a lifetime of work that never seemed like work,” said Nolon. “When you receive a legacy award, it brings back memories of all the shoulders that one stands on. I stand on the shoulders of so many strong leaders and advocates, starting in Peekskill with our own Founding Mothers – four African American women who devoted their lives and their passion to starting a community health center.” She added, “I also stand on the shoulders of our National Association of Community Health Centers, Advocates for Community Health, and all our colleagues with great pride and humility.”
The Legacy Leadership Award will continue to recognize individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and commitment have significantly strengthened the community health center movement and expanded access to primary care in underserved communities.
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About Advocates for Community Health
Established in 2021, Advocates for Community Health (ACH) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization of community health centers dedicated to forward-thinking and ambitious federal policy and advocacy on behalf of health centers, their patients, and their communities. To learn more, visit advocatesforcommunityhealth.org.
About Sun River Health
Sun River Health is a federally qualified health center system providing comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, dental services, and social support programs across more than 50 locations. The organization serves diverse communities throughout New York with a mission to ensure access to high-quality, affordable health care for all. To learn more, visit sunriver.org.