On Thursday, June 5, 2025, NeighborHealth hosted its annual Art of Health Care fundraising gala at Boston’s historic Fenway Park, attracting nearly 400 attendees to support NeighborHealth’s mission of building healthier communities together. During the event, NeighborHealth’s CATCH (Children’s Access to Coordinated Healthcare) program was honored with the inaugural Advancing Health Equity Award for achieving three decades of innovative and holistic care for children with diverse physical and developmental needs, many of whom attended the event with their families.
“Our annual Art of Health Care event presents a special opportunity to shine a light on the unique ways NeighborHealth takes healthcare beyond the clinic to improve the health and wellness of our community,” said Dr. Julio Mazul, Chief Medical Officer, NeighborHealth. “By recognizing impactful programs like CATCH, we reaffirm our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible care that empowers our neighbors to lead longer, healthier lives. We are grateful to our donors whose support helps us to provide individualized care and services to our neighbors, regardless of who they are, or where they come from.”
Thirty years ago, CATCH program founder, Dr. Thomas Silva, realized the urgent need for vulnerable patients to receive holistic care coordination based on their individual needs. Today, the CATCH program serves approximately 200 patients and continually advances how NeighborHealth cares for children with disabilities.
“The CATCH program has always believed that a more inclusive world is possible,” said Meaghan Hamilton, NP, Director of Pediatric Complex Care, NeighborHealth. “At CATCH, we not only provide care, but we have fun together, try new things, celebrate, and, most importantly, we create community. On behalf of our patients and staff, I am deeply grateful for this recognition and the continued support of the health center.”
At the event, guests enjoyed engaging with Chelsea-based Afro-Caribbean visual artist Silvia López Chavez, who painted, in real-time, a one-of-a-kind, 36” circular acrylic on canvas painting depicting a vibrant view of Boston — one of the many coveted Art of Health Care raffle prizes available that evening. López Chavez is well known for her joyful and unapologetically colorful murals across Greater Boston, promoting the importance of the healing power of art being accessible to all.
Funds raised from the Art of Health Care gala will support NeighborHealth’s CATCH program that provides coordinated health and wellness services to children with developmental and cognitive disabilities. Funds will also support healthcare services for older adults to age safely at home, and lifestyle change and physical fitness promotion through programs like Let’s Get Movin’.
For those who were unable to attend but would still like to support NeighborHealth’s mission, donations can be made at www.neighborhealth.com/donate.
NeighborHealth, formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, is one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, serving over 130,000 people and recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a National Quality Leader. For more than 50 years, NeighborHealth has offered access to comprehensive primary care, specialty care and emergency care for patients in the Commonwealth. In a first-of-its-kind merger in 2020, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center joined forces with the South End Community Health Center and expanded services to patients who live and work in Boston’s South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. NeighborHealth champions innovative care models to actively bridge health equity gaps in our low-income and immigrant communities with services unique from other healthcare providers in our state. For more information, visit www.neighborhealth.com.