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NEWS FROM
CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE
October 3, 2008
Harvard Dean First Woman to Chair Cambridge Health Alliance's Board of Trustees
Cambridge, MA...Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) today announced
that Mary Cassesso, Dean for Administration and Finance at the Harvard
School of Dental Medicine, has been named Chair of CHA's Board of
Trustees.
Ms. Cassesso is the first woman to be named Chair of CHA's Board.
She also is the first resident of Somerville to assume the position.
"Mary Cassesso possesses a wealth of understanding about Cambridge
Health Alliance's important mission in the communities it serves,"
said Dennis Keefe, CHA's Chief Executive Officer. "She brings
a significant level of experience in academics and community leadership
to CHA, which will serve the system well as it continues to improve
the lives of the communities we serve. We salute Mary as she assumes
leadership of the CHA Board."
"It is a privilege and an honor to lead the Cambridge Health
Alliance Board, both as a woman and as a life-long resident of Somerville,"
said Ms. Cassesso. "CHA's unique service to local communities
has never been more important. We look forward to helping even more
residents in the years ahead."
Ms. Cassesso replaces outgoing Board chair Francis H. Duehay, who
held the position since 2005.
Ms. Cassesso has served at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
for over 15 years, where she is responsible for the School's strategic
planning and has been instrumental in stabilizing the School's financial
position and reaffirming its commitment to discovery. Prior to her
role at Harvard, Ms. Cassesso served as an Assistant Cabinet Secretary
for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' affordable housing program,
as the Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership,
and as the City Auditor for the City of Somerville.
Ms. Cassesso was the recipient of the Harvard Medical School Dean's
Leadership Award for the Advancement of Women in 2005 and the Diversity
Award in 2000. She also has served as the Chair and Co-Chair of
the HMS/HSDM Joint Council on the Status of Women.
In addition to her commitment as a trustee with CHA, she continues
to serve as the Managing Trustee of the Somerville Affordable Housing
Trust Fund. Ms. Cassesso holds both a Bachelor of Science degree
with Honors and a Master's degree in Public Administration from
Northeastern University.
Cambridge Health Alliance is governed by a 19-member Board of Trustees.
All members volunteer their time and expertise to further the mission,
vision, and values of CHA.
Cambridge Health Alliance is an innovative, award-winning
health system that provides high quality care in Cambridge, Somerville,
and Boston's metro-north communities. It includes three hospital
campuses, more than 20 primary care and specialty practices, the
Cambridge Public Health Dept., and the Network Health plan. CHA
is a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate and is also affiliated
with Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine,
and Tufts University School of Medicine.
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