March 13, 2008 — vol. 43, no 31
Whittier's Williams to be honored by UMass-Boston
Frederica Williams, president and CEO of Whittier Street Health Center
in Roxbury, will receive the University of Massachusetts-Boston’s
Robert H. Quinn Award for Community Leadership in recognition of her
long-running commitment to reversing racial disparities in health care
and being an advocate for community health in urban and multicultural
communities, the health center announced Sunday.
J. Keith Motley, chancellor of UMass-Boston, credited Williams with
transforming “a basic community health center into a neighborhood
centerpiece, celebrating diverse populations and increasing their
access to lifesaving health care.”
“Her keen vision has positioned Whittier as a leader in urban health
care with a crucial focus on the importance of culturally competent
primary care and social services,” said Motley in a statement
announcing the award.
The Quinn Award was established in honor of former University of
Massachusetts Trustee Robert H. Quinn, whose public service career in
the Commonwealth included stints as speaker of the state House of
Representatives, state Attorney General, and founder of the Community
Breakfast.
The award is given to an individual who has displayed exemplary
community leadership, and will be presented to Williams at this year’s
Community Breakfast next Thursday.
At the event, UMass-Boston will also award William Walczak, founder of
the Codman Square Health Center, with the Robert H. Quinn Award for
Community Service, and will recognize Leah P. Bailey, director of The
Boston Globe Foundation, for her exceptional service to the communities
of Boston.
Under Williams’ leadership, Whittier has emphasized community outreach,
aiming to bring health care to patients rather than waiting for them to
arrive at the center.
Williams joined Whittier in February 2002, and in the six years since,
the center says it has doubled the number of people it serves,
increased revenues by almost 60 percent and expanded the range of
services it provides.
“By fostering a healthy balance sheet, Williams is able to expand the
reach of Whittier’s core medical and social services, improving the
health of uninsured and underinsured populations,” the center said in a
statement.
Williams has more than 20 years of experience in health care
administration, finance and operations management, as well as a wealth
of knowledge about community-based health care, international public
health, strategic planning, revenue control, physician practice
management and technology.
Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in
business administration from the London School of Accountancy, a
graduate certificate in administration and management from the Harvard
University Extension School, and a master’s degree in business
administration from Anna Maria College.
She is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Financial
Administrators in the United Kingdom and Wales, has participated in two
executive training programs at the Harvard Business School’s Hauser
Center for Non-Profit Organizations, graduated in 2003 from the
National Conference for Community and Justice’s LeadBoston program, and
is an associate member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Williams is the proud mother of three sons: Dennis, Dunstant and Devin. She lives in Randolph.
