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