Westchester Community Health Center is proud to announce that our Chief Executive Officer, Judith Watson, has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), the statewide voice for nearly 80 Community Health Centers serving more than 2.5 million New Yorkers.
Ms. Watson’s election to this leadership role reflects her decades of experience in community health and her deep commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable care for all patients, regardless of insurance status, income, or background – values that are central to Westchester Community Health Center’s mission.
“Community Health Centers are a cornerstone of New York’s health care system, ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, has access to high-quality, affordable care,” said Ms. Watson. “I’m honored to serve as Board Chair at this pivotal moment. Health centers are facing rising costs, growing demand for services, and workforce challenges, yet they continue to deliver exceptional care in communities across the state. I look forward to working with CHCANYS and our partners to strengthen the health center network and ensure it has the resources it needs to survive and thrive.”
Ms. Watson assumes the Board Chair role at a critical juncture for Community Health Centers statewide. CHCs are currently advocating for a $300 million investment in the state budget to help stabilize their operations in the face of rising costs, federal-level changes, workforce shortages, and growing patient demand. New York’s Medicaid reimbursement system, which represents 42% of total CHC revenue, pays rates based on costs from 25 years ago, leaving health centers at a significant financial disadvantage.
We congratulate Ms. Watson on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the impact her statewide leadership will have on community health care across New York.