During Health & Medicine’s January Board meeting, founding Board Member Lon Berkeley was honored by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Office of Regional Operations for his lifelong commitment and dedication to community service, health equity, and engagement with the underserved community to improve overall health.

Rick Wilk, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Chicago Regional Office – Region V, presented the commendation to Berkeley on the occasion of his retirement from the Joint Commission where he has worked since 1997, serving as the Project Director for the Community Health Center Accreditation initiative since it was launched in 2011. Prior to his time at the Joint Commission, Berkeley was the Executive Director of the Illinois Primary Health Care Association.

“He helps those of us around him feel important and empowered by encouraging us to make the greatest impact possible and supporting us in these efforts,” Wilk said. “Lon has provided opportunities to many public health professionals to leverage their passion and skills to grow safety net providers…His career reflects work with a disparate group of people to ensure that the health centers and other safety net providers would grow and address the varied needs of the diverse communities they strive to serve.”

To read Wilk’s full remarks, click here.