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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | September 26, 2022 29 2022 C – SUITE AWARDS C arlos Marrero is the CEO of LEO Outpatient Clinic in Hartford. As a first-generation social worker, Marrero uses his experiences to ad- vocate for more innovative program- ming and services in health care and to address well-known disparities. He combats these disparities by cre- ating innovative healthcare systems within medical, dental, behavioral health care in schools, in the com- munity, shelters and more. Since 2016, Marrero has been active within organized health care, open- ing doors for those affected by dis- parities and inequalities and creat- ing tangible policies that can impact health care within his own clinic. In addition, he has opened clinics, school-based clinics, special education schools and more. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? My biggest accomplishment this year is partner- ing with a local community agency to close the gap between the medical care needs of commu- nity members and their families that struggle with addiction and/or homelessness. We are accomplishing this goal by supporting those living in shelters by improving the quality of care they receive and providing them with innovative primary care. We are currently in the process of providing quality medical health services to the homeless community in Hartford shelters. In addition, we have partnered with two private schools to provide them with medical and behavioral consultations for their students and families. Guiding business principle: Striving for innovation. Best way to keep your competitive edge: Innovation, flexibility, always going above and beyond. Best business decision: Deciding to have school-based clinics. Biggest missed opportunity: Opening in Florida a couple of years ago. Goal yet to be achieved: Opening in Florida and Georgia. Personal touch in your office: Creating a space where all patients feel that they are in their homes instead of feeling like they are in a clinic. In what ways are you involved in the community? I provide free Salsa lessons to the community, specifically assisted living facilities, schools, and community agencies to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. Personal side City of residence: Hartford Favorite way to relax: Dance Hobbies: Dancing salsa Last vacation: Colombia Favorite movie: "Harry Potter" The car you drive: Mazda CX 9 Currently reading: "Change your Brain Change Your Life," by Daniel G. Amen Congratulations to Shannon Marimon Executive Director ReadyCT from your colleagues within the ReadyCT | CBIA | CONNSTEP alliance. Well deserved! Your commitment to bringing career-connected learning to all Connecticut public school students is a critical contribution to our state. readyct.org ' J ames Michel has been part of Access Health CT since the early stages of the organization. He first served as the operations manager when he started in 2013. He was pro- moted to director of operations in 2014 and assumed the role of director of finance in 2017. After being appointed interim chief executive officer in 2018, Michel was officially designated as CEO in September of that year. Michel focuses on fulfilling AHCT's mission to reduce the rate of the uninsured and eliminate health disparities in Connecticut, strengthen and expand the AHCT brand, improve the customer experience and ensure sustainability. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? One of the most significant accomplishments for us this past year was the creation and launch of the Broker Academy. The Broker Academy is a no-cost broker training program for people living and working in underserved communities. It was created to form a bridge of trust between the healthcare industry and communities of color. Another accomplishment was leading an organi- zation that maintained flexibility during the many changes that affected our industry this year, including the Covered CT Program, American Rescue Plan Act and Inflation Reduction Act, so that our cus- tomers could get more affordable health insurance. Guiding business principle: I believe in creating a culture where every employee feels valued in order to maximize their talent to the benefit of our customers. Best way to keep your competitive edge: It's by leading a flexible staff that can pivot in an industry that changes every month so that we can be responsive to our customers, both state and federal government and the needs of our community. Best business decision: The decision is creating a strategic plan for AHCT that is focused on our employees and culture as well as our core mission of reducing the rate of the uninsured and eliminating health disparities in the state. In addition, meeting with every new employee at Access Health CT to ensure they understand that they are valued and accepted for who they are. Goal yet to be achieved: My goal is Access Health CT's goal – to reduce the number of uninsured residents to zero. Personal touch in your office: Posted in my office, I have a framed copy of our company's six values, which were created when I became CEO and are employee- driven. Those values are authenticity, integrity, excellence, ownership, one team and passion. In what ways are you involved in the community? I believe that if you're not giving back, you're just taking. I serve on the board of directors for Outreach to Haiti, the Urban League of Greater Hartford, YMCA of Greater Hartford, University of Hartford and Suffield Academy. I am also the chair of Jumoke Academy's board of directors. James Michel Chief Executive Officer ACCESS HEALTH CT Size of organization: 94 employees Education: MBA, University of Hartford Carlos Marrero Chief Executive Officer LEO CLINIC Size of organization: 96 employees Education: Master's in social work; earning a doctorate in education