Special to the Times-Free Press
NeighborHealth announced the appointment of Kathleen Patrón as the new Director of Business Development, Marketing & Enrollment for Neighborhood PACE, a comprehensive senior care program that supports older adults across Greater Boston with medical care, social services, and other resources to help them live independently in their homes and communities. In her role, Patrón will lead strategic outreach, marketing, and enrollment efforts to expand access to the program and connect more older adults and their families with the care and support they need to live safely at home. Patrón brings extensive experience in community engagement, communications, and strategic leadership. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff to Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr, where she advised on policy, communications, and stakeholder engagement while managing relationships with community organizations, government agencies, and advocacy groups. Prior to that, she was Executive Director of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), where she led large-scale community initiatives and built partnerships across faith, labor, and civic institutions to advance equity-focused policy solutions. Since its founding in 1990, Neighborhood PACE has helped thousands of older adults maintain their independence while receiving the medical care, social support, and daily assistance they need to thrive at home. Operated by NeighborHealth, the program has become a trusted lifeline for seniors across East Boston, Chelsea, Winthrop, Revere, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, and Boston’s North End. “Kathleen brings a deep commitment to community partnership and an impressive record of building relationships that create meaningful impact,” said Ernani DeAraujo, Executive Director, Neighborhood PACE. “Her leadership will help ensure that more older adults and families in our communities understand and can access the full range of services available through Neighborhood PACE.” From its origins as a single-site initiative in East Boston, Neighborhood PACE has evolved into a robust, person-centered program with five sites throughout Greater Boston serving over 900 participants each year. It integrates primary and specialty care, rehabilitation, mental health support, social services, nutrition, transportation, and home care into one seamless experience, helping participants live safely and independently in their homes and communities. As Director, Patrón will oversee business development strategy, referral partnerships, marketing campaigns, and enrollment operations. She will work closely with clinical and operational teams to ensure a seamless experience for participants—from initial outreach through enrollment and ongoing care. “As an East Boston resident and longtime NeighborHealth patient, I see every day the vital role seniors play in our community,” said Patrón. “I’m looking forward to helping more families learn about how PACE can help older adults stay healthy and connected to the communities they’ve helped build. I’m grateful for the opportunity to join NeighborHealth and contribute to the important work of Neighborhood PACE.” The Neighborhood PACE program is part of national network of PACE programs, dually funded by Medicare and Medicaid, helping advance NeighborHealth’s mission to provide access to high-quality, community-based care for older adults across Greater Boston. About NeighborHealth 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 120,000 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.