About CHA

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) is a vibrant, innovative health system dedicated to providing equity and excellence for everyone, every time. With over 140,000 patients in Boston’s metro-north region, CHA is proud to offer the health care people need most in their lives.

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Key clinical services include primary care, behavioral health, emergency care, surgery and specialty care, hospital care, maternity and state-of-the-art testing services. These are offered at convenient neighborhood locations. CHA patients also have seamless access to advanced care for rare or complex conditions at its clinical partners - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Mass. General Hospital for Children.

CHA's work extends far beyond patient care. It has a robust Department of Community Health Improvement and operates the nationally accredited Cambridge Public Health Department. It collaborates closely with local governments and non-profits to improve health and reduce barriers to care. As a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine, CHA trains the health care providers of tomorrow.

  • Our History

    CHA formed in 1996 when two Massachusetts hospitals - Cambridge Hospital and Somerville Hospital - joined together to better meet the needs of patients and fulfill a shared community health mission. In 2001, CHA acquired the former Whidden Memorial Hospital (now CHA Everett Hospital) and associated services in Malden and Revere. This expanded CHA's service area and gave it the ability to help even more individuals and families in need.

  • Awards and Recognition

    System-Wide Awards

    > The Center for Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the CHA Somerville Campus wins a 2023 Construction Risk Partners Build America Award in the Construction Management Renovation category.

    > CHA was ranked as the number one hospital in Massachusetts (with an A grade) for Health Equity by the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan healthcare think tank. The Lown Institute Hospitals Index examined more than 3,600 hospitals using 54 metrics to evaluate equity, value and patient outcomes. In addition to top honors for Health Equity, CHA earned A grades for "Inclusivity" (named the number two hospital in Massachusetts in this metric), "Social Responsibility," "Community Benefit," "Value of Care," and "Avoiding Overuse."

    > CHA was named a 2022 WWCMA WorkWell Massachusetts Award winner in the large group category for exemplary worksite health promotion.

    > Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts (LUMA) presented CHA with an award for our support of immigrant communities at the 15th annual Multicultural Festival of Everett in August, 2022.

    > CHA named as a finalist to receive the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Diversity: COVID-19 Program award from Ragan.

    > CHA named one of Newsweek's Best Maternity Hospitals 2022. More than 10,000 medical professionals were invited to participate in the survey, with only 350 organizations recognized. This honor reflects CHA's extensive efforts to reduce pregnancy risk, including prevention training and low C-section rates.

    > CHA named an "LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader" by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

    > CHA Union Square Family Health received an adult care award for Office Staff Professional Excellence from Massachusetts Health Quality Partners.

    > CHA Broadway Care Center received pediatric care awards for Ease of Access to Care and Patient-Provider Communications from Massachusetts Health Quality Partners.

    > WIC received the 2021 Gold WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence from the USDA.

    > CHA named one of the top places to work in Massachusetts in 2021 by Forbes Magazine for the second straight year.

    > CHA Cambridge Hospital was named one of the best maternity hospitals in the nation by Newsweek Magazine for 2021.

    > CHA Broadway Care Center was named Best Medical Services in 2021 by The Somerville Times.

    > CHA selected as the 2021 Family Favorite in Boston Parents Reader's Choice awards for best Birth Center and Maternity Care.

    Staff Awards

    > Marie-Louise Jean-Baptiste, MD, physician at the CHA Windsor St. Care Center, received the Welcome Project’s Intercultural Award.

    > Jeanette Callahan, MD, pediatrician at CHA Cambridge Pediatrics, was invited to join the Mass. Health Policy Commission’s Advisory Council.

    > Hannah Galvin, MD, CHA's chief medical information officer, was appointed by the Comptroller General of the U.S. to a three-year term on the national Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC).

    > Tiffany Vassell, RN, CHA Cambridge Hospital labor and delivery, was recently named one of 2022 Ten Outstanding Leaders by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for her work in the maternal health space, community advocacy, and her recently published book. (Dec. 2022)

    > Melanie Sumayo, Leah Seever, Donna Mondeau, Rajani George, Andrzek Sledzik. Maryann Gillan, Autumn St. Hilaire, and Lauren Gildea, members of CHA Cambridge Hospital ICU team, won the DAISY Award which recognizes extraordinary care by nurses.

    > Todd Griswold, MD received the CHA Sandra and Arnold Gold Award for Humanistic Teaching from Harvard Medical School (HMS)

    > Neha Sandeep, PA-C received the 2022 William H. Marquardt Community Health Access Fellowship award by the PA Foundation for her dedication and service to marginalized communities.

    > Sarah Nelson, PhD, director of research at the Division on Addiction, earned a 2022 Scientific Achievement Award from the International Center for Responsible Gaming.

    > Judith Laguerre, BSN, RN-BC, received a Brain Health Equity Fellowship from the UsAgainstAlzheimer's Center for Brain Health Equity, a partnership between the Alzheimer's Association, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Black Nurses Association, and The Latino Nurses Association.

    > Michael Yogman, MD, a CHA pediatrician, was named Middlesex District Medical Society's 2022 Community Clinician of the Year, an award recognizing his professionalism and contributions as a physician.

    > Gabriella Iagaru, MD, interim medical director, child and adolescent inpatient psychiatry service, received the Excellence in Clinical Instruction Faculty Award from the Harvard Medical School Class of 2022.

    > Alec Eidelman, DMD, MPH, a general dentist at the CHA Windsor Street Care Center, was recognized by the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) as one of the "10 Under Ten" for 2022.

    > Avlot Quessa, senior multicultural affairs director receives Tony Winsor Award for 2022 by UMass Chan Medical School, Commonwealth Medicine, and MassHealth.

    > CHA is well-represented in the Boston Globe's Salute to Nurses, with 14 nurses nominated for the annual feature. Marg Buckley's nomination letter (from Janine Hogan) was highlighted in the pullout supplement in today's edition of the Globe (5/8/22). All of the nomination letters are posted online here. CHA's 2022 nominees were:

    Margaret Buckley, Jane Buley, Lynne Crawford, Corinne Imperatore, Caitlin Martin, Graciela Martinez, Corey Marvin, Maria Melchionno, Moishe Ragieme, Valerie Roberson, Kristen Robertson, Joana Shiri, Stephanie Sylvain, Michael Wilson

    > Allen Shaughnessy, PharmD, MMedEd, director of master teacher development for the Tufts Family Medicine Residency at CHA received the Lynn and Joan Carmichael STFM Recognition Award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM).

    > Angelo Grech, CHA parking & transportation manager, wins National Leader of the Year from ProPark.

    > CHA doctors honored as 2022 Boston "Top Docs": 

    David Baron, MD, physician at CHA Primary Care, Cambridge Hospital

    Traci Brooks, MD, pediatrician at Cambridge Pediatrics, medical director of our teen health centers, and interim chief of pediatrics

    Shireen Cama, MD, director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship

    Suzanne Chapnick, MD, MPH, rheumatologist, Cambridge Hospital

    Lisa Dobberteen, MD, pediatrician at Cambridge Family Health

    Erika Fellinger, MD, general surgeon, Everett Hospital

    Lisa Ferzoco, MD, general surgeon, Cambridge Hospital

    Kenneth Gerweck, MD, physician at East Cambridge Care Center

    Greg Hagan, MD, chief of pediatrics and pediatrician at Windsor Street Care Center

    Susan Hardt, MD, physician at CHA Primary Care, Cambridge Hospital

    Kate Harney, MD, chief of OB/GYN

    Lilian Joventino, MD, cardiologist, Cambridge Hospital and Everett Hospital

    Bruce Kalow, MD, pediatrician at Somerville Pediatrics

    Jill Kasper, MD, pediatrician at Somerville Pediatrics

    Moon Kwoun, MD, vascular surgeon, Cambridge Hospital

    Rachel Nardin, MD, neurologist and former division chief of neurology

    Tom Risser, MD, cardiologist and medical director, echocardiography lab

    David Roll, MD, primary care physician and medical director, Revere Care Center

    Daphne Schneider, MD, geriatrician at CHA Primary Care, Somerville Campus and senior care programs

    Ellen Sigman, MD, pediatrician at Cambridge Pediatrics

    Laura Sullivan, MD, chief of family medicine and physician at Malden Family Medicine Center

    Deepak Thatai, MD, division chief of cardiology

    Michael Yogman, MD, pediatrician at Cambridge Pediatrics

    > CHA PACE's Brenda Lattin received the Phyllis Solomon Champion Award, awarded by MassPACE.

    > Christine Maglio, RN at Malden Family Care Center, won the DAISY Award.

    > Kerry Marchese, RN at Everett Pre-Op, won the DAISY Award.

    > Grace Pornier, LPN at Malden Family Health substance use disorder clinic, won the DAISY Award. The patient who nominated Grace explained she shows patience and kindness, and is "down to earth (talking with you, not at you)" and she treats and shows she cares by following through.

    > Jennifer Wallace, RN, a CHA Cambridge Hospital ED nurse, won the DAISY Award.
    Theresa Perry, RN, a nurse on 6 North, won the DAISY Award.

    > Gaurab Basu, MD, MPH, co-director of CHA’s Center for Health Equity Education & Advocacy, named the winner of the Inaugural Equity, Social Justice, and Advocacy Award at Harvard Medical School/Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

    > Michael James, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, was awarded the annual Leading the Way award from the Center for Collaborative Leadership at the College of Management, University of Massachusetts Boston.

    > Sunny Patel, MD, graduate of CHA Adult Psychiatry Residency, was appointed to the 2021-2022 class of White House Fellows.

    > Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha, DO, was honored with the Cambridge YWCA's 2021 Tribute to Outstanding Women Award

    > Kate Harney, MD, CHA Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, receives the Harvard Medical School Sandra & Arnold Gold Award for Humanistic Teaching

    > Yamini Saravanan, MD, CHA internal medicine physician, receives Harvard Medical School Charles McCabe, MD Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching

    > Jean Terp, Department of Medicine office manager, receives HMS Wizcai Award and celebrates 50 years with Harvard Medical School

    > Arun Ghosh, MD named a 2021 Clifford Barger Excellence in Mentoring Awardee by Harvard Medical School.

    > Marie Dumas, RN  inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success at Walden University.

  • Commitment to Diverse People

    CHA has a longstanding commitment to vulnerable and diverse patients and is proud to serve all those in need. Its motto is "We Care for All."

    Many CHA patients have public or subsidized insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.) and traditionally experience barriers to care. In order to serve these individuals and families, CHA has bilingual providers, a robust interpreter program and numerous linguistic services. It also has an award-winning Volunteer Health Advisor program that brings together people from many cultures to help local residents gain access to care and live healthier lives.

  • Our Academic Mission

    CHA is an academic health system with outstanding physician-teachers and strong training and research programs. It is the only healthcare system that is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Tufts University School of Medicine.

    CHA offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education efforts. These include the noteworthy Harvard-Cambridge Integrated Clerkship, an alternative experience for third year Harvard Medical students with an innovative “continuity of care” curriculum. CHA also sponsors Harvard affiliated training programs in internal medicine, adult and child psychiatry, psychology and dentistry, the Tufts family medicine residency and a Pharmacy residency program.

  • Mission, Vision and Values

    Mission: To improve the health of our patients and communities.

    Vision: Equity and excellence for everyone, every time.

    Values: To Make a Positive Difference - Community, Integrity, Respect, Compassion, Learning, Excellence (CIRCLE).

    Cambridge Health Alliance prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.

  • Ethics, Principles and Practices

    General Principles

    The best interests of our patients drive our decision-making.

    We are dedicated to the principle that all patients, employees, physicians and visitors will be treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy.

    Honest, open communication characterizes all of our interactions with patients, employees, and the community.

    We honor the diversity of our patients, staff, and community and create a culture in which all feel valued and respected.

    We are committed to using a collaborative decision-making process in resolving difficult patient care issues which involves all appropriate parties.

    We fairly and accurately represent ourselves and our capabilities.

    We provide services to meet the identified needs of our patients and do not provide unnecessary services.

    We continuously improve the quality of our medical care.

    We maintain patient confidentiality.

    We honor our commitments to patients, staff, and the community.

    We hold ourselves to the highest standards in meeting and exceeding all of our professional standards and legal and regulatory obligations.

    We continuously monitor our compliance with this code of ethics and provide training as needed to achieve these goals.

    Ethical Policy Issues and Examples:

    Patient Care Issues

    Treatment decisions are made on a case by case basis. Our care decisions are based on the clinical status of our patients and on patient/family desire.

    We work in partnership with our patients and, if appropriate, with their families. We share information about patient needs and preferences, diagnostic and treatment opportunities, and the risks and alternatives to recommended courses of action. Communication with families is guided by the wishes of our patients.

    When unexpected consequences or errors occur which significantly impact patient well being, it is our duty to inform the patient and/or family of the probable cause.

    We proactively develop systems to maintain patient and other information in a confidential manner, recognizing the special challenges created by the increasing use of electronic methods of storing and sharing information.

    We provide patients and their families with multiple methods to share with us their issues and concerns.

    All members of the health care team have independent duties to be sensitive to a patient's needs and desires and to report their perceptions to the physician in charge. The physician will encourage such communication.

    Workplace Issues

    We openly share information with our staff and keep our promises to our employees.

    We provide a safe workplace free from any form of discrimination or harassment.

    We encourage staff to share any ethical issues that arise for them by providing both confidential and anonymous methods to communicate their concerns.

    We recognize that conflicts will inevitably arise amongst those who participate in hospital and patient care decisions. We seek to resolve all conflicts fairly and objectively.

    Business Practices

    We provide inpatient and outpatient services to persons regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status.

    Decisions to divert or transfer a patient to another facility are made only upon patient request or when the patient's specific disease or condition cannot be safely treated at our facility.

    Discharge decisions are based on the patient's medical condition and readiness for discharge. We work to ensure that patients are treated at the most appropriate level of care.

    We maintain a compliance program designed to establish a culture that promotes prevention, detection and resolution of instances of conduct which do not conform to federal and state law and federal, state, and private health care program requirements.

    We welcome patient or other payer questions about charges. Questions will be discussed and conflicts resolved without real or perceived harassment, using a fair and formal process.

    As part of our process, we will disclose any potential conflicts of interest and take appropriate actions to assure integrity.

    We review all marketing materials to ensure that our organization, services, and policies and procedures are stated to our community and patients accurately, clearly, and in a culturally appropriate manner.

Current News and Events

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