Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 27, 2023 | Worcester Business Journal 15 C H A M P I O N S O F H E A LT H C A R E F O C U S We would like to Congratulate our 2023 Winners! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Winner Large Business Winner Mid-Size Business Winner Small Business Winner Sustained Excellence Winner Spirit Award Autism Allies Inc. is thrilled to congratulate Susan Dufresne on her well-deserved Champions of Healthcare award. As our very first employee, Susan has been a cornerstone of our organization for nearly 8 years, exemplifying leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication. Susan's journey with us from the beginning has been nothing short of inspirational. Her role in shaping Autism Allies into what it is today cannot be overstated. Susan has been a guiding light, mentoring countless professionals within our organization and setting a standard of excellence that resonates in every aspect of our work. Congratulations, Susan! Thank you for your years of service, leadership, and commitment to excellence. You are truly a Champion of Healthcare. Your Autism Allies Family Autism Allies Inc. Celebrates Susan Dufresne an advisory committee that Green sat on through the process. "She's the consummate professional. She thinks strategically and can blend [business needs] with community needs and priorities," Foley said. Following a stint at Wisconsin firm Conover + Company Communications, she traversed into a higher education role at Anna Maria College in Paxton, where she managed public relations and enrollment, eventually becoming vice president of marketing and college relations from 2007 to 2014. Finally, Green landed at Kennedy, where she was charged with building the advancement department and overseeing grants and public relations. ere, people receive quality primary and specialty health service, including eye care, maternal care, dental care, and behavioral health services. "It's been the most mission-driven or- ganization I've worked for," Green said. "at's been my driving factor to move the advancement office forward, and it's a great place for me to end my career." Her early clinical experience as a bedside nurse showed Green what good health care looks like. ough she felt better suited to communications and advancement roles, the five years she spent in nursing were priceless. "at nursing degree really helped me to understand how health care touches our humanity," Green said. For low-income patients in Worcester County, the needs are great. e refugee and asylum-seeking populations repre- sent a growing contingent of safety-net patients who need primary and specialty health care; patients who are covered by MassHealth are the largest group Ken- nedy serves, but Green noted its clinics also take private insurance plans. "We're open to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay," Green said. rough the COVID-19 pandemic, the health center managed to maintain services. Kerrigan said in October, Kennedy provided the most patient visits ever across all sites, and this year is tracking to see 33,000 patients, up from about 28,000 when he became CEO in 2019. ose figures will grow as Ken- nedy opens doors at two new expanded sites in Worcester and Milford. "Paula was in charge of her depart- ment really becoming a living, dynamic, and exciting advancement division that is integral to the future health of the organization," Kerrigan said. In retirement, Green looks forward to spending more time with her grandchil- dren, but she'll continue as a consultant as Kennedy seeks a new advancement leader. Green serves as a board member of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts. "I was really fortunate to be in po- sitions I've been in that allowed me to participate in community growth. I've had a great career," Green said. H PHOTO | COURTESY OF EDWARD M. KENNEDY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER Paula Green (right) with members of her Kennedy Community Health Center team: Juliann Dooley (left), director of marketing and development; Catherine Hoey, events coordinator

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