East Boston Neighborhood Health Center CEO Manny Lopes was honored last week by the Boston chapter of the NAACP for his leadership in the local health care industry.
Lopes received the NAACP President’s Award Saturday at a gala at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel. The President’s Award acknowledges Lopes’s leadership, both at EBNHC and in the local, city, and state communities, in the many areas of public health. Lopes was also commended for the inspiration he provides to younger people of color.
This award was presented to Lopes at the NAACP’s annual Freedoms’ Fund Dinner for his “work to build and maintain one of the most impactful health centers in the nation”.
In notifying Lopes of the prestigious award, the NAACP wrote, “In the NAACP, we deeply understand that leadership is not for the faint of heart and the demands of this work require exceptional people with vision, passion and an unwavering commitment. You exemplify such leadership! We applaud your work at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to build and maintain one of the most impactful health centers in the nation. You and your staff are working to eliminate health disparities, increase access to coverage and services and build the local economy through training and employment. In addition, you continue to find time to invest time and energy in the broader public health challenges facing the Commonwealth. You are a model for aspiring young professionals of color.”
Lopes, who took over the reigns as EBNHC CEO from Jack Cradock in October 2012. Since that time he has overseen the growth of the health center in Eastie as it expands patient care, elderly programs, and facilities.
“I was deeply honored to be included among our esteemed community leaders who are actively challenging society to end discrimination, embrace diversity, and ensure greater opportunity for all people,” said Lopes. “As is so often the case when a leader is recognized, much of the credit for an individual’s accomplishment is due to the talented and committed team that stands behind that leader. Receiving this award was really a reflection on the pioneers of EBNHC, our board of directors and the staff of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, who are dedicated to addressing discrimination and promoting equality across the board.
Lopes’s ascension is a story that embodies the essence of EBNHC’s mission and commitment to the community. More than two decades ago, Lopes joined the health center as an 18-year-old researcher, working with Dr. Jim Taylor on a blood pressure study. In the ensuing years, Lopes went on to hold positions in the Human Resource and Operations Departments.
After a mid-career stint outside the health center, during which Lopes worked as a business consultant and project manager for Fortune 1000 companies, helping CEOs, CIOs, and CFOs redesign critical business processes, Lopes served as the health center’s Vice President and Chief Information Officer. There he provided organizational vision and leadership with an eye for technology and collaborative innovation.
In 2010, Lopes assumed the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer and began working closely with Cradock as part of the health center’s strategic succession plan. He seamlessly adopted increasing responsibility and had proven his readiness to take over at the EBNHC helm.
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center CEO Manny Lopes with his wife, Lee, was honored last week by the Boston chapter of the NAACP for his leadership in the local health care industry. Lopes received
the NAACP President’s Award Saturday at a gala at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront
Hotel.
Lopes’s breadth of experience at EBNHC provides him with an unparalleled understanding of the health center, the Eastie community, and the vital importance of providing high-quality health care to those the EBNHC serves.
Lopes attended Lesley University School of Management and has a master’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University’s Graduate School of Business.