Northwest CT Chamber Community Leader Award

​(Torrington, CT) – May 31, 2024 – Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) is delighted to announce that CEO Joanne Borduas, BSN, MSN, MBA, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Community Leader Award by the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. This recognition celebrates Joanne’s exceptional leadership and unselfish service to the Northwest Corner, reflecting her commitment to healthcare accessibility and quality for underserved populations.
 
The award will be presented at the 2024 Celebration of Success Distinguished Leadership Awards on Thursday, June 27th, at 5:00 PM at Fairview Farm Golf Course in Harwinton, CT. The event recognizes individuals and organizations who have significantly contributed to the well-being and quality of life in Northwest Connecticut.
 
Joanne serves as the President & CEO of CHWC, the only comprehensive Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Northwest Connecticut. In this role, she oversees the organization’s operations, managing approximately 30,000 annual patient visits across three health centers in Torrington, Winsted, and the newly opened Regional Health Care Center in North Canaan, serving surrounding towns. Her career spans over 36 years, marked by a dedication to addressing health inequities and ensuring quality healthcare is accessible to everyone, especially vulnerable populations.
 
Joanne’s extensive healthcare experience includes roles as Chief Nursing Officer, Interim CEO of a FQHC, and Administrative Director of Ambulatory Services for a 400-bed acute care hospital. Notably, she was a key member of the healthcare administration team that established the city of Waterbury’s open heart surgery program, a significant advancement in regional healthcare.
 
In response to receiving this award, Joanne Borduas stated, “I am deeply honored to receive the 2024 Community Leader Award. This recognition is not only a personal milestone but a demonstration of the collective efforts of the entire CHWC team. Together, we have made significant strides in enhancing healthcare access and quality for our community. I share this award with every member of our team who works tirelessly to serve our patients with dedication and compassion.”
 
About Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC):
Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and the sole Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) in the northwest corner of Connecticut, providing comprehensive services. CHWC delivers a range of integrated healthcare services, including medical, dental, chiropractic, nutrition, podiatry, and behavioral health, as well as an in-house lab and pharmacy. CHWC participates with most state and commercial insurance plans, utilizing a sliding fee scale to ensure accessibility for individuals of all financial backgrounds. Serving over 6,000 patients, CHWC operates health centers in Torrington, Winsted, and a newly built center in North Canaan. The organization extends its impact by offering physical and mental health services through school-based health centers in all Torrington schools, with plans to expand to three schools in the Region One school district.
 
For more information about CHWC and our services, please visit www.chwchealth.org.
 
About the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce:
Since 1991, the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has recognized individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional and unselfish service to the Northwest Corner with their Celebration of Success Distinguished Leadership Awards. The Chamber is the oldest business organization in the Northwest Corner, promoting economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in the region.
 
For more information about the event or to make reservations, please contact the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at 860-482-6586.