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EAST HARLEM COUNCIL FOR HUMAN SERVICES (EHCHS) ANNOUNCES
KEY EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN C-SUITE LEADERSHIP TEAM
— Dr. Adam Aponte appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Monica Suarez joins as
Chief Medical Officer, and Daniel Ramirez has been named Chief Operating Officer —
NEW YORK – August 27, 2024 – The East Harlem Council for Human Services (EHCHS), a community-focused organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, bilingual health and human services to residents of East Harlem, recently announced three key leaders to its executive team. Dr. Adam Aponte steps into the role as Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Monica Suarez joins as Chief Medical Officer, and Daniel Ramirez has been named Chief Operating Officer. These strategic appointments mark a significant step in EHCHS’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, fully bilingual health and human services to the East Harlem community.
“These new executive appointments, including my transition from CMO to CEO, reflect EHCHS’s ongoing dedication to enhancing its leadership team, confronting the pressing health challenges in East Harlem with renewed focus, and ensuring that we continue to provide essential services to East Harlem’s most vulnerable residents,” said Dr. Aponte. “By harnessing the unique strengths and perspectives of our new leadership team, we remain steadfast in our mission to address health inequities and support the community through our innovative programs and services.”
Since its founding in 1965, EHCHS has been dedicated to providing fully bilingual health and human services to East Harlem, a vibrant and diverse community with significant health challenges. The organization operates the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which has been a cornerstone in addressing the health needs of El Barrio since 1974. Boriken’s comprehensive services include medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, care management, patient navigation, and social services, all delivered with a commitment to cultural competence and accessibility.
- Dr. Adam Aponte, MD, MSc, FAAP, formerly EHCHS’s Chief Medical Officer, now serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Joining during the pandemic’s peak in July 2020, he has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission and expanding its services to meet the diverse needs of East Harlem residents. In his new role, Dr. Aponte focuses on strengthening EHCHS’s strategic vision and operational excellence, while continuing to champion the health and well-being of the community. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and holds Pediatric Board Certification by the American Board of Pediatrics. Additionally, Dr. Aponte has spent the past decade volunteering as Chairman of the Board for Mentoring in Medicine, a non-profit that provides mentorship to minority and underrepresented youth seeking to enter healthcare professions. He earned MD and MSc degrees from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as well as a BS in biology from CUNY City College of New York. Dr. Aponte, born and raised in East Harlem, is deeply passionate about giving back to his community.
- Dr. Monica Suarez joins EHCHS as Chief Medical Officer, bringing extensive experience in clinical leadership and community health. She oversees the organization’s comprehensive medical services, including those provided by the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center, and drives innovations in patient care and health education to address health disparities in East Harlem. Dr. Suarez joins from BronxCare Health System, where she served as Associate Medical Director, Ambulatory Care & Population Health Departments, for nearly six years. She earned an MD from Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine, a post-baccalaureate certificate in special sciences from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA in mathematics from Boston College.
- Daniel Ramirez steps into the role of Chief Operating Officer, where he manages the day-to-day operations of EHCHS and works to enhance operational efficiency across the organization. His expertise in organizational management and operational strategy will be critical in supporting EHCHS’s mission to deliver exceptional, culturally competent services to the community. Daniel joins from Betances Health Center, a New York City community health center, which provides a range of healthcare services to underserved populations, where he worked for over 30 years serving various roles, culminating in Director of Operations.
Last year, the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center announced a partnership with Yuvo Health, an industry-leading healthcare organization that partners with FQHCs to help them gain an advantage in value-based care, a healthcare model that prioritizes patient-provided quality and outcomes of care over the quantity of services delivered. This collaboration aims to enhance the delivery of healthcare services to the East Harlem community, combining resources and expertise to better address the needs of underserved populations.
About the East Harlem Council for Human Services:
Established in 1965, the East Harlem Council for Human Services (EHCHS) is dedicated to providing high-quality, fully bilingual health and human services to the East Harlem community. The organization operates several key programs, including the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center, and is committed to addressing health disparities and improving the overall well-being of its residents. For more information about the East Harlem Council for Human Services and its new leadership team, please visit www.boriken.org or email them at info@boriken.org.