Housing Works Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vaty Poitevien Receives Statewide Advocacy Award
August 14, 2026News
As part of National Health Center Week, Housing Works Community Healthcare proudly celebrated Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vaty Poitevien, who was honored with the 2026 Dr. Jack Geiger Award from the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), one of the organization's highest recognitions for leadership, advocacy, and commitment to advancing health equity.
Presented annually during National Health Center Week, the award recognizes healthcare leaders whose careers reflect the vision of Dr. Jack Geiger, a pioneer of the community health center movement who championed healthcare as a human right and emphasized the connection between health, housing, food security, dignity, and social justice.
For more than two decades, Dr. Poitevien has been at the forefront of some of the nation's most pressing public health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, the opioid epidemic, mpox, and COVID-19. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for patient-centered care and for expanding access to healthcare for people who have historically faced barriers to treatment and support.
Vaty Poitevien has a well-deserved reputation as a caring and compassionate care provider who never turns any patient away, whatever their circumstances, and who treats every single patient with utmost kindness, whether they are homeless and sleeping on the streets, struggling with substance use disorder or mental illness, or just in a bad space. That kindness has brought many people into care and kept them engaged in the treatment that they so often need.Charles King, CEO of Housing Works
During the award presentation, colleagues, community leaders, patients, and elected officials reflected on Dr. Poitevien's extraordinary impact. Speakers highlighted not only her clinical expertise but also her ability to lead with humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serving communities often left behind by traditional healthcare systems. A longtime patient shared how Dr. Poitevien had supported her through nearly two decades of care, describing the physician as a trusted partner through some of the most significant moments in her life.
Accepting the award, Dr. Poitevien emphasized that the recognition belonged to the entire Housing Works Community Healthcare team.
I share this award with my extraordinary colleagues at Housing Works and with the patients who inspire everything we do. No achievement in community healthcare is accomplished alone.Dr. Vaty Poitevien, Chief Medical Officer
She went on to recognize the providers, nurses, medical assistants, patient care coordinators, outreach workers, front desk staff, and countless others who work every day to ensure patients receive compassionate, high-quality care.
Dr. Poitevien also spoke passionately about The Undetectables, Housing Works' nationally recognized HIV care program. Reflecting on the program's more than 12-year history, she described it as proof of what is possible when people living with HIV receive care that is not only clinically excellent but also respectful, patient-centered, and grounded in a deep understanding of the realities patients face. She noted that meaningful healthcare requires providers to understand the day-to-day challenges of poverty and structural barriers while meeting people where they are.
She also reflected on Housing Works' response to the COVID-19 pandemic, recalling how teams rapidly launched testing, vaccination, and isolation support programs while keeping clinics open when patients needed them most.
"Our patients needed us," she said, crediting staff across the organization for responding with extraordinary courage and dedication during one of the most challenging periods in recent memory.
Ending her remarks with a call to action, Dr. Poitevien urged attendees to continue defending access to healthcare, housing, prevention services, mental healthcare, and harm reduction programs.
We must defend access to treatment. We must defend access to prevention, access to housing, mental healthcare, and harm reduction. Healthcare is not a privilege. It's a human right.Dr. Vaty Poitevien, Chief Medical Officer
The celebration was part of National Health Center Week, an annual recognition of the more than 1,500 community health centers that serve millions of patients nationwide. The week offers an opportunity to recognize the health center staff, patients, board members, and supporters who make quality, comprehensive healthcare possible.
As part of National Health Center Week, Housing Works Community Healthcare also recognized staff members whose dedication embodies the organization's mission and values. This year, staff submitted more than 300 peer nominations, a record number, honoring colleagues whose commitment, compassion, and teamwork strengthen the organization and improve the lives of patients every day.
2026 National Health Center Week Staff Awards
High Performance Award
Recognizes those who act with purpose and strive for excellence in all they do.
- Nicholas Porretta
- Melissa Ruiz
- Kesting Charney
- Zenia Aquino Moreno
- Nea Daniels
- Michelle Morillo
Stronger Together Award
Honors team players who unite others to tackle and achieve the impossible.
- Dr. Gabrielle Placide
- Syesha Anderson
- Richard Perkins
- Gail Fletcher
- Scott Bennatan
- Tanisha "Nikki" Spencer
All In Award
Celebrates bold, direct, and relentless individuals improving health at every level.
- Dr. Jamilette Aguirre
- Carlos Guevara
- Asanda Edwards
- Bobbie Powell
- Xanthea Rangel
- Donn Bartley
Membership Award
Acknowledges those who go the extra mile, uplift others, and bring positive energy to the workplace.
- Dr. Seshat Mack
- Oscar Baker
- Anna Mavrikakis
- Kacianne Broomes
- Joann Fraguada
- Kareem Macedon
Community Values All Star Award
Highlights one exemplary person who embodies all of Housing Works' core values.
- Chelsea Torres
Community health centers are the cornerstone of the health of a community. National Health Center Week is an opportunity to reflect on the impact we make and get re-energized for the future. There are so many unsung heroes who go above and beyond for our patients every day, so celebrating each other makes this week that much more special.Naomi Harris-Tolson, VP of Health Innovation
Thank you to all the staff, clients, patients, board members, and many others that make our health centers special!
