Ken Lalime

Chief Executive Officer

The end of any year is a perfect time for both reflection and resolution.

This month marks the conclusion of my first year as CHCACT’s CEO. Although I came into this role with over three decades of experience in Connecticut’s health care environment – as a pharmacist, at a number of roles in a hospital, running an insurance company, and serving on a local Board of Health – I still had a learning curve related to the specifics of federally-qualified health centers. Health centers have a very specific set of program requirements set by the federal government, related to how they operate – including the composition of their Boards, how they set their sliding fee scales, and how they determine which services to provide and where. Additionally, they continue to adapt, change and grow in response to community needs and a changing health care landscape across Connecticut and the nation. At their core, they are community-based and dedicated to the patients they serve.

Similarly, CHCACT must respond to the needs of our health centers. Over the past year, our team has engaged in Strategic Planning to determine how CHCACT can maximize its effectiveness, both in interacting with health centers, as well as in Connecticut’s health policy discussions. We will continue to have these conversations over the coming months, in anticipation of unveiling some exciting new services to our health centers next year. The goal is to help health centers provide the highest quality care to all in need – to improve the health and wellness of all.

It’s been a pleasure to get to know each of Connecticut’s health centers, their Boards, leadership and staff! I continue to be impressed by our health centers’ commitment to their 400,000 patients and their communities. I look forward to working with them, and with our many partners, in 2019.

Happy Holidays!

Ken