EBNHC’s Annual Art of Health Care Event Set for this Evening

On Wednesday, June 6, the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will hold its sixth annual Art of Health Care event at their Maverick Square building.

This year the annual innovative fundraiser to celebrate EBNHC’s mission in the community and the healing impact of art will pay special tribute to former City Councilor and current Suffolk University Senior Vice President John Nucci. Nucci, who also sits on Massport’s board of directors, will receive the EBNHC’s prestigious Maestro Award for his dedication to the community and city.

Nucci, a lifelong resident of East Boston, spent more than 30 years in public service before becoming senior vice president of external affairs at Suffolk University. He served on the Boston School Committee, including four years as president, before becoming a councilor-at-large for the City of Boston. He spent 11 years as clerk-magistrate of the Suffolk County Superior Court. Nucci has served on the boards of many local organizations, including the Urban College of Boston and East Boston Community Development Corporation. In 2016, he was appointed to Massport’s board of directors.

Nucci joined Suffolk University in 1992 as an instructor of public management and was named vice president in 2005. An alumnus of the university, Nucci has balanced the institution’s needs with the needs of the neighborhoods surrounding the campus and led a complete transformation of Suffolk’s footprint in downtown Boston.

Also being honored will be Doris Rubio, vice chair of EBNHC board of directors. Rubio has lived in East Boston for 35 years. She received a bachelor of science with high honors in business administration and a project management certificate from Wentworth Institute of Technology, where she also worked for 25 years as assistant to the president and manager at the university’s Center for Community and Learning Partnerships. In addition to her role as vice chair of EBNHC’s board of directors, Rubio serves on the boards of the East Boston Ecumenical Community Council and Alianza Cívica Cultural Centroamericana. She previously served as a board member for Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Neighbors United for a Better East Boston, Casita El Salvador, Alianza Hispana, and the Advisory Council for the Salvadoran Consulate in Boston.

She has received several academic and civic awards for her dedicated volunteer service, including honors from the National Society of Black Engineers, National Society of Hispanic Engineers, City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, MassVOTE, the Salvadoran Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At present, Rubio manages and teaches an ESOL program for adults and seniors in East Boston.

Through corporate and private sponsorships, ticket sales, a silent art auction, raffles and other donations the event organizers hope to raise $250,000 for the Health Center’s crucial programs.

EBNHC manages innovative programs that support children’s health and wellness. Through its Pediatrics and Family Medicine primary care departments, EBNHC has developed relationships that help meet the unique challenges faced by children and young adults in the community. While positively impacting children’s lives, these programs have many non-reimbursable expenses and often run at significant deficits. Fundraising, through individual and corporate donations as well as grants, allows EBNHC to continue these effective mission-aligned programs, which serve young community members most in need.

“The Art of Health Care event is very important to our Organization,” said EBNHC CEO Manny Lopes. “The Health Center runs some amazing special programs that have huge impact in our community.  Examples include our Let’s Get Moving Program, which helps kids and families stay active and fit.  Our CATCH Program, which closely coordinates care and activities for medically complex children.  Our Project Shine, which coordinates care and does education around HIV. Our Youth and Young Adult Pathways Programs (YYAPP), based at our Education and Training Institute (ETI), helps children and young adults move onto positive paths toward healthy and responsible adulthood.”

Featured cuisine at the event will include offerings from Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta; Brian Poe of the Tip Tap Room, Bukowski Tavern, and Poe’s Taco Room; Dan Lyons of Maverick Marketplace Café; Greg Weinstock of Renegades Pub; Shelly Demmon of Chelsea Station; Dan Johns of Craft Table and Bar; Anthony Pino of the Cunard Tavern; and Jose Callejas of La Hacienda.

Some items that will be included in the silent auction are  “A Monster Experience” courtesy of the Boston Red Sox Foundation. This item includes four Green Monster tickets to the Red Sox game versus the Yankees on August 3.

A 2018 Team Autographed Bruins Jersey courtesy of Boston Bruins Community Relations will be on auction as well as golf with EBNHC CEO Manny Lopes.

Other auction items include jewelry, original works of art, a summer fun beach package as well as other cool packages and gift certificates.

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