Press Release: Community health center leaders tout Mayor Menino’s leadership on public health issues

For Immediate Release     

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

For More Information Contact:

Nick Martin, 617-367-1900

“…a stalwart friend and champion of health centers throughout his career”

Leaders of community health centers from neighborhoods across the City of Boston announced their support for Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s reelection, citing his unyielding efforts to improve public health by building community partnerships, creating innovative programming, and combating racial and ethnic health disparities.  Below is their endorsement letter:
 
"As community health center leaders from across Boston, we personally endorse and wholeheartedly support the reelection of Thomas M. Menino as Mayor of Boston.

Mayor Menino has been a stalwart friend and champion of health centers throughout his career in elected office.  As mayor he redesigned the health care system for the city’s poor and underserved residents.  He personally led the fight to create Boston Medical Center and the Boston HealthNet community based health care delivery system.  He has developed a myriad of public health initiatives through the Boston Public Health Commission, including primary care expansion, violence prevention, tobacco cessation and disease prevention.  He has helped build new and expanded health centers in our neighborhoods – from East Boston to Dorchester and South Boston to Roslindale. Tom Menino has made our city a national model for delivering care to the most vulnerable populations in our society.

The Mayor continues to prioritize improvements in Boston’s public health by working to combat racial and ethnic health disparities, partnering with community organizations to address substance abuse issues, promoting healthy childhood development, and raising awareness about healthy nutrition and obesity.

During these difficult economic times we need his leadership more than ever to protect our health care safety net and the substantial gains we have made in community health care. 

Sincerely,

Frank Doyle, Boston

Jack Cradock, East Boston

Barbara Lottero, Roslindale

Azzie Young, PhD, Mattapan

Jim Hunt, Boston 

Ed Grimes, Uphams Corner

Bill Walczak, Codman Square

Joel Abrams, Dorchester

Chidi Achebe, MD, Dorchester

Frederica Williams, Roxbury

Bob Johnson, South End

Dan Driscoll, Dorchester

Anita Crawford, Roxbury"

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