BUFFALO, NY—The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has welcomed Chima Chionuma, MD, and Gary Williams to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Chionuma and Mr. Williams join 17 other community and business leaders from throughout western and central New York who currently serve on the Health Foundation’s board. Trustees provide vision, leadership and strategic direction in support of the Health Foundation’s mission to improve the health and health care of people and communities in western and central New York.
Dr. Chionuma is a board certified pediatrician and experienced clinician. She is Chief of Service Pediatrics for Syracuse Community Health Center, a local federally qualified health center located in Syracuse, New York; and Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Dr. Chionuma is a graduate of the Health Foundation’s Health Leadership Fellows program and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York, Onondaga County Medical Society and Onondaga County Pediatric Society. She and her husband, Dr. Henry Chionuma, have five children and a grandson.
Mr. Williams is the Director of Performance Improvement at Syracuse Community Health Center. Previously, he was Director of Health Quality Improvement at Molina Healthcare Inc. He has also held several leadership positions including serving on numerous community boards in the Syracuse area. Mr. Williams is a renowned public speaker and spoke on health care equity during a TEDx in April 2019.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College, a master’s degree in public administration from Long Island University and is currently seeking his master’s degree in healthcare administration from Cornell University.
“We are grateful to have Dr. Chionuma and Mr. Williams join our board,” said Cheryl Smith Fisher, Chair of the Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “At a time of great challenges and opportunities in community health care, our new trustees’ vast knowledge and experience will be an invaluable asset to our work.”
“From clinical experience to systems-level work on improving health care, both Dr. Chionuma and Mr. Williams bring vital expertise and vision to our Board of Trustees,” said Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD, President of the Health Foundation. “We look forward to working together to improve the health of people and communities in western and central New York.”
About the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York
The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York is an independent private foundation that advocates for continuous improvement in health and health care for the people and communities of western and central New York. For more information, visit www.hfwcny.org.
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