Boston Medical Center (BMC)

Meet Heather Thiltgen, MBA, President of WellSense Health Plan! Heather oversees the strategy and operations of WellSense Health Plan, a nonprofit health insurance company that is part of BMC Health System. Her leadership and passion for the mission inspire the WellSense organization to support its members in living their healthiest lives. Get to know Heather: https://lnkd.in/evm8g6ck

This month, BMC’s Food Pantry provided over 600 Thanksgiving meals to our patients. Special thanks to the team and volunteers who helped assemble the bags. ?? ?? Happy Thanksgiving to all, and thank you to our staff working during the holiday to care for our patients and families.

At BMC, our lung cancer patients experience a multidisciplinary, individualized process to provide compassionate and comprehensive care. Our lung cancer program is internationally recognized as expertly caring for patients at all stages of the disease, with a dedication to providing effective treatment while preserving quality of life. In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Alexis Gallardo Foreman, DNP, about her individual approach to care as well as BMC's dedication to going above and beyond to advocate and care for our patients. "As a healthcare community we take the time to understand our patients’ needs and learn about what gaps or barriers may be preventing a patient from living their best life. A prime example is through our Tobacco Treatment and Lung Cancer Screening programs where we identified a gap in the awareness of lung cancer screening among our patients. We rolled up our sleeves and set out to educate our patients through various community events to minimize existing health equity gaps in screening." To learn more about our our thoracic cancer program is #RewritingHealthcare, visit https://bit.ly/4g7Fjwt.

BMC's Rachel Daws, MPH, LICSW tells us how providers can care for patients living with diabetes by integrating mental health support into treatment. We’re increasing access to care and developing an innovative model for diabetes treatment. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/esNWuXxd #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #publichealth #healthcare #mentalhealthawareness #diabetesawareness #healthequity

BMC was named one of America’s 100 hospitals and health systems with great orthopedic programs by Becker's Healthcare. BMC’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery offers expert and comprehensive services, including hip and knee replacement, spine surgery, joint reconstruction, orthopedic trauma, elbow and hand treatments, shoulder surgeries, spine procedures, and pediatric orthopedics. Additionally, BMC’s Orthopedic Research Laboratory is dedicated to exploring musculoskeletal diseases and injuries with the goal of developing new technologies to improve musculoskeletal function. Learn more about BMC's Department of Orthopedic surgery: https://bit.ly/3Z8vaIZ

Congratulations to Petrina Martin Cherry, VP of Community Engagement and External Affairs, for being named to the 2025 Academy of Women Achievers by YW Boston. This recognition acknowledges “unstoppable women changing Boston” who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in both their professional and civic lives. In her role at BMC Health System, Petrina’s work drives tangible impacts in the communities we serve by developing new community partnerships, bringing awareness to the importance of overall health and wellbeing, and engaging in essential dialogues about health equity and access. Learn more about the YW Boston Academy of Women Achievers: https://bit.ly/3CXrOkA

BMC proudly sponsored the American Diabetes Association's State of Diabetes event last Friday and Saturday in Roxbury. The program included a networking lunch and a panel discussion for healthcare providers on “Empowering the Community to Combat Diabetes and Obesity.” BMC’s Endocrinology team and second year ambulatory care pharmacy residents provided free health screenings and educated community members about diabetes, pre-diabetes, and ways to lower risks for diabetes. We’re developing a new model for diabetes care by increasing access to services and resources for patients. Learn more about BMC's Clinical Diabetes Program: https://lnkd.in/eTgRKsKS #DiabetesAwarenessMonth

As people gather together for the holidays, many wonder if it is possible to get multiple respiratory viruses at once. Infectious disease physician Sabrina Assoumou, MD, MPH, spoke with SELF about the possibility of getting COVID and RSV at the same time and what to do if it happens. To prevent respiratory illnesses and their effects, Dr. Assoumou advises patients to stay up-to-date on their vaccines. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eQDJd7wj

“We’re able to have a good relationship with our own community, listen and get feedback from them, figure out exactly what it is that they want out of the market, and craft it to be a market they feel some ownership in.” -Yusuf Yassin, co-owner of Nubian Markets The combined grocery, café, halal butcher, and gathering space opened with fanfare last year in Nubian Square, and continues to provide foods flavored by the African diaspora, a community gathering space, and local hiring with advancement opportunities. Learn more on #HealthCity: https://bit.ly/3CFJGAB

“I get to work with incredibly dedicated, talented people who wake up every day to do the right things for the right reasons.” Meet Heather Thiltgen, President of WellSense Health Plan. WellSense is part of BMC Health System and provides high-quality Medicaid, Medicare, and individual plans to more than 650,000 members across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Growing up in a military family, Heather learned early on the importance of adaptability and resilience. Because of it, she’s not just accepting of change — she drives it to improve the lives of WellSense’s members. Learn more about Heather: https://bit.ly/4i1p2Lm