John M. Silva, president and chief executive officer of Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC), has been recognized by George Washington University (GW) as its “distinguished visitor” for the 2019 Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy.

The recognition honors Silva’s leadership and experience in the community health center movement over the past four decades.

“This is a prestigious honor for John, as well as for GLFHC as an organization,” said health center Board Chair Charlie Zanazzi. “We’re thrilled that he will have the opportunity to impart the significance of our place in the community health movement to students and faculty at George Washington University.”

Silva joined GLFHC as president and CEO in 2016 and has led the health center’s efforts in its new accountable care model, the Merrimack Valley ACO (Accountable Care Organization), a joint effort with Lawrence General Hospital to provide coordinated care for more than 32,000 patients. Serving as a distinguished visitor within the Geiger Gibson Program will allow him to share the knowledge he’s gained over the course of his 40-plus-year career with a new generation of people investing in community health.

“John’s experience and leadership in community health will be tremendous assets for the students of the Geiger Gibson Program to take advantage of,” said Rich Napolitano, senior vice president of external relations at GLFHC. “As distinguished visitor, he will help the next generation of health care leaders understand the importance of caring for underserved members of our community.”

Located within the Milken Institute School of Public Health at GW, and part of its Department of Health Policy and Management, the Geiger Gibson Program shares the core mission of the community health centers program: to eliminate medical underservice and disparities in population health and health care and improve health and health care for all persons.

The Distinguished Visitor program provides an opportunity for health center and primary care association leaders to share their work with students, faculty, and staff. Visitors may serve as guest lecturers, student advisors and mentors. The program typically takes place in the fall semester, and visitors serve as ongoing advisors to the program.