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As part of BWH Bulletin's series on what qualities define a leader, Paula McNichols, executive director of Brookside Community Health Center and recipient of the 2003 Thomson Leadership Award, discusses the importance of commitment.
During three decades of caring for patients in their community, Paula McNichols has maintained a commitment to opening the doors of health care to more people. That holds true on the neighborhood level where she's welcoming patients to Brookside Community Health Center and on a statewide level where she presses state officials for expanded health care benefits.
"Paula is dedicated to ensuring patients always receive the best possible care here, throughout the city and entire state," said Stephen Colchamiro, DMD, Brookside's dental director, who joined Brookside in 1971, shortly before McNichols arrived.
In recent years, McNichols has shared patient anecdotes and data with legislators and other state officials to expand health care access for all Massachusetts residents. Her innate and intuitive understanding of her patients and the community prove to be an asset when she is lobbying for increased benefits for her patients through Mass. Health, a state insurance program.
McNichols joined the Brookside staff in 1972 as a technologist. After holding positions of increasing responsibility, she was named Brookside's executive director in 1990. Hospital leaders continually praise her for her commitment to Brookside patients and neighbors and the facility's staff. She was born and raised in Jamaica Plain and is an active leader within the community.
"Commitment to patient-centered care is a defining quality demonstrated by all of the Brookside staff and the entire BWH community, and I am humbled to be a part of that group," McNichols said. "It is easy to walk away from a challenging situation and absolve yourself from all responsibility. To remain committed in the most difficult cases shows leadership, and this quality is shared by all Thomas Leadership Awardees."
The eighth annual Dennis Thomson Leadership Award and Compassionate Care Scholar Awards will be presented March 28, at 4 p.m., in the Bornstein Family Amphitheater.