Grand Lawrence Family Health Center presents Sudders with Make a Difference award

Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders received the Making a Difference award from the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center last Thursday for her “tireless leadership during the pandemic.”

The health center, which operates primary care offices and pharmacies in Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill, said during the online presentation that Sudders had helped Massachusetts become a leader in the COVID response, first with tests and now with the distribution of vaccines.

“Secretary Sudders is recognized with our most prestigious award for all she has done and continues to do for the residents of Massachusetts,” said Health Center President and CEO John M. Silva, adding: “In times of need, the secretary has always stepped up to ensure the delivery of healthy, quality health care to Massachusetts residents as her top priority. “

Sudders is the head of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Response Command Center. She oversees 12 agencies and MassHealth, with a combined budget of $ 24 billion and 22,000 public employees who provide essential services that touch the lives of one in four state residents.

“I don’t see anyone more worthy of an award that aims to make a difference in improving people’s lives,” Gov. Charlie Baker said of Sudders. “His commitment to the well-being of Massachusetts residents, children, families and communities has always been unmatched, and it has been especially true this year.”

Keynote speaker MP Lori Trahan praised the daily work of the community health center to ensure that the country’s most vulnerable patients receive essential health care and are not left behind.

“Community health centers like the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center have been at the forefront of the struggle to provide good health care to those who would not otherwise have it, and this has been especially true over the past 15 months. Said Trahan. “When the pandemic hit, you all rolled up your sleeves, put on your masks and did the hard work needed to save lives.”

The gala raised nearly $ 85,000 through sponsorships and donations, which will benefit the health centre’s Keeping the Promise capital campaign. The $ 3.5 million campaign will renovate its flagship location at 34 Haverhill Street, Lawrence and provide better medical services to patients in Greater Lawrence. The Haverhill Street site is the largest and busiest of the six GLFHC locations, accounting for 33% of the 62,000 annual GLFHC patient visits.

During the event, health care leaders from the Merrimack Valley and across the country paid tribute to Silva who is retiring this month. He has worked in community health centers across the country for over 40 years.

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