Community Health Center Association of Connecticut

?? Our monthly CHC/ACT newsletter, This Month in CHC/ACTion was sent out today! It is packed with updates, events, insights, and resources to keep you informed and connected. Want to get on our list? Send an email to [email protected]. #valuechcs Here is the ??: https://lnkd.in/eu3eCCCs

CHC/ACT held its first in person conference since 2019 on Thursday November 14th and Friday November 15th at the Hilton Mystic Hotel! Thank you to our attendees, speakers, staff, and sponsors for making this event so memorable! We look forward to seeing you at our 2025 Conference which will be held on Thursday November 13th and Friday November 14th at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa! #valuechcs #chcactcon24

Today's #MissionMonday brings a special spotlight from one of our very own community health centers. We are thrilled to share why their dedicated team loves the work they do, serving our communities with passion and care. Stay tuned for an inspiring story from the heart of our mission. “Optimus Healthcare has a strong mission that focuses on improving access to quality healthcare, which resonates deeply with me. Working in healthcare IT at a place like Optimus healthcare means contributing to impactful projects that directly enhance patient care and support healthcare professionals. It's fulfilling to know that our work can streamline operations, improve the patient experience, and make a positive difference in people's lives. ? Additionally, the collaborative culture at Optimus Healthcare is motivating. The teams here work closely to solve complex issues, always focusing on innovation and improvement, which fosters both personal and professional growth. I value being part of an organization where each person’s role is genuinely meaningful in advancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency.” Mohannad(MAC) Abuzneid, Ph.D MS,MCSE,A+,Security+, ACSP,?CCT?IT Director #valuechcs Optimus Health Care

??The countdown is on! We are officially ONE WEEK away from setting sail for our first in person Conference since 2019!?? Anchored in our commitment to improving health access and outcomes, we are thrilled to welcome dedicated Community Health Center staff, visionary vendors, and inspiring speakers for two days of learning, collaboration, and community building. Together, we are “Navigating Toward a Healthier Connecticut” and shaping the future of healthcare. Thank you to our Gold Sponsor NFP-an Aon Company, @wearenfp and our Silver Sponsors Quest Diagnostics, Quest Diagnostics CNECT, CNECT Community Health Network, Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. and Forvis Mazars Forvis Mazars US ! #valuechcs #CHCACTCon24

Joanne Borduas, CEO of Community Health & Wellness Center of Torrington and Missy Meyers, CEO of Generations Family Health Center both presented at the New England Rural Health Association conference, today in Mystic. New England Rural Health Association

??Updated Conference Information: National Association of Community Health Centers Chief Operating Officer Diana Erani will be speaking at our upcoming Conference 2024: Navigating Toward a Healthier Connecticut! ??? Thursday November 14th ??? Friday November 15th ?? Hilton Mystic We look forward to seeing everyone there! National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) #valuechcs

?? Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! ?? At the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, we are proud to honor and celebrate the incredible contributions of our Hispanic staff from health centers across the state. ?? Their passion, commitment, and vibrant culture make a difference every single day. Today we are featuring our very own CHC/ACT employee Valeria Tamayo "As a proud Colombian and former community health worker at Yale and health centers in Connecticut, my heritage deeply shapes my identity and commitment to the community. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the values of hard work and education, sacrificing everything to provide me with opportunities. Now, as an HCCN Program Coordinator, I bring a unique perspective to supporting health centers. My journey continues as I pursue my master's in forensic psychology, driven by a passion to make a meaningful impact in health care. I am proud to represent my culture and to work towards equitable health outcomes for all." Valeria Tamayo Program Coordinator, HCCN Community Health Center Association of Connecticut #valuechcs #HispanicHeritageMonth

?? Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! ?? At the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, we are proud to honor and celebrate the incredible contributions of our Hispanic staff from health centers across the state. ?? Their passion, commitment, and vibrant culture make a difference every single day. Today we are featuring our very own CHC/ACT employee Jesus B. ?“Hispanic Heritage Month, for me, goes beyond the food, music, and dancing—it’s a celebration of the deep roots, traditions, and values of Hispanic culture. Growing up in a Mexican household, I was constantly reminded of the importance of family and community. I would often hear my aunts, uncles, and my mother say, 'I used to shower you,' 'I used to play with you,' 'I used to feed you.' These stories aren’t just memories; they’re a reflection of the care, love, and responsibility that are integral to our culture. In Mexican culture, family extends beyond immediate relatives, like many other cultures—it’s a tight-knit community that stands by you in every phase of life, through sickness and health, in times of joy and hardship. These connections are more than just bonds; they are lifelines, strengthened by shared traditions, respect for our elders, and a deep sense of belonging. I am immensely proud to be Mexican. Our culture has not only given me a rich heritage to celebrate but a support system that has shaped who I am today. The values of resilience, love, and community that I’ve inherited continue to guide me, and for that, I am forever grateful." Jesus Blanco Data Analytics Program Manager Community Health Center Association of Connecticut ?????????????????? #valuechcs #HispanicHeritageMonth

?? Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! ?? At the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, we are proud to honor and celebrate the incredible contributions of our Hispanic staff from health centers across the state. ?? Their passion, commitment, and vibrant culture make a difference every single day. Today we are featuring Wanda Serrano-Miller ?Hello, My name is Wanda Serrano-Miller, I am a first generation?Latina born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico as Wanda Serrano Fonseca. ??After my father served in the Korean war, he moved the ?family to CT.? I and my twin brother ?we were 18 months old, ?my younger sister 1 y/o. at the time, and 8 years later my youngest sister was born. ?We were primarily raised in Stratford, Ct, the second home my parents purchased after the first one in Bpt. ?It was a wonderful wholesome upbringing with much love, spiritual/family cultural traditional upbringing.? My father demonstrated to us the value of hard work and education as he worked up to be the Shipping Manager for Mohawk curtain Co. stationed in NY. ?? We were always studying even through the summer breaks for my parents did not want us to have any difficulties in school.? My mother was a stay at home mom and she taught us the value of spiritual practice of praying the Rosary every evening after dinner, for which we continue to so by phone or zoom. My favorite PR ?food is ?“Pastilles”, ?and of course my mother’s PR rice. The principal of education and hard work afforded me to graduate from the University of CT, with a MSW.? I have enjoyed 35 + years of clinical work with my clients and am always encouraging them to never give up that it is possible to overcome any adversity.? I am a proud PR Latina female with my own private practice on the side now 7 years as well as ?I also enjoy playing golf with my wonderful three adult sons. I’ve competed 5 half marathons, and immensely enjoy working in my 15 flower gardens/and 5 vegetable gardens. Wanda Serrano-Miller Clinician 2 InterCommunity #valuechcs #HispanicHeritageMonth

?? Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! ?? At the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, we are proud to honor and celebrate the incredible contributions of our Hispanic staff from health centers across the state. ?? Their passion, commitment, and vibrant culture make a difference every single day. Today we are featuring Jamie Angueira “ My passion for helping others is deeply connected to my Hispanic Heritage. I am proud to carry forward the values of family, community, compassion, and service to others.” Jamie Angueira Director of Practice Management StayWell Health Center #valuechcs #HispanicHeritageMonth