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Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. Appoints New President/Chief Executive Officer
The Board of Directors
of Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. (NCHC) recently
announced the appointment of Peter R. Velez, MPH, as the
new President and Chief Executive Officer of the federally
qualified health center.
“Peter Velez is an experienced health care professional
who will help us to develop comprehensive strategies to meet
the primary health care needs of our target areas”,
said Jerrid Douglas, Chairman of NCHC’s Board
of Directors. Velez has over 20 years of experience
in primary health and mental health care services. His
career in health care began in 1980 at Sunset Park Family
Health Center in Brooklyn, NY – one of the first federally
funded community health centers in the U.S. Prior
to accepting the appointment in Newark, Velez served as
Harlem Hospital’s Director
of Ambulatory Care. He received his Masters Degree in Public
Health from Columbia University.
“I’m excited about my new role”,
said Velez. “My commitment
to community health has been demonstrated by my work over
last two decades. As
the number of uninsured and underinsured increase, our role
in health care goes far beyond just being a “safety
net” for our patients – we
become essential health care providers in our communities” continued
Velez.
Mr. Velez’s primary objectives are
to develop closer ties with health partners in Essex County,
enhance the patients’ experience
at all health center locations, and to work closely with
NCHC’s Board of Directors and management team to improve
the quality of care the organization provides. Newark Community
Health Centers, Inc. operates six primary health care centers
in Essex County and plans are underway to expand services
to other Essex County communities. Annually,
over 73,395 patients receive care at NCHC’s centers. |
