Photo by Matt Schorr
Mary Bufwack, PhD (center) received the Clifton K. Meador Community Health Leadership Award on October 19, 2017. She is pictured with members of the Safety Net Consortium of Middle Tennessee.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Mary Bufwack, PhD, who served as Chief Executive Officer of Neighborhood Health – previously known as United Neighborhood Health Services – for 29 years, received the Clifton K. Meador Community Health Leadership Award during a regular meeting of the Safety Net Consortium of Middle Tennessee (SNCMT) on October 19, 2017.
The award, named after the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance’s (MVA) founding Executive Director, is given to honor an individual in the community whose leadership and accomplishments have contributed significantly to improving access to quality health care for low-income, uninsured people in Nashville and the surrounding area. It was presented in partnership by the SNCMT, the MVA and the Nashville Academy of Medicine.
'Staple in the community'
Stephanie B. Bailey, MD, MS, Senior Associate Dean of Public Health Practice at Meharry Medical College (MMC), presented the award. “Neighborhood Health is a staple in the community,” she said. “It treats about 30,000 individuals – 17,000 of whom have no insurance – and is a leading source of primary care for Nashville's homeless residents.”
Upon receiving the award, Bufwack recalled Dr. Meador’s efforts as inspiration for her own. “I think his dedication to pulling the Safety Net Consortium together and keeping it going was second to none,” she said. “I really appreciate this award, because it comes from my peers.”
Previous recognitions
Bufwack’s work has been recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Primary Health Care, the Tennessee Primary Care Association and the National Association of Community Health Centers. In 2009, she was honored by the Center for Nonprofit Management as CEO of the Year.
In 2014, Bufwack was elected to Chair the Board of Directors of Nashville General Hospital.
Her work with Neighborhood Health was preceded by her work as Program Coordinator with the Nashville YWCA Domestic Violence Program and a faculty position at Colgate University in upstate New York.
Bufwack holds a PhD in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis.
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshops.