Boston Community Pediatrics Event Focused on Challenges and Innovations in Care
BOSTON, November 14, 2024 – Boston Community Pediatrics (BCP) is the first nonprofit private pediatric practice in Massachusetts. BCP’s mission is to provide income and racial equity to pediatric healthcare, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. BCP hosted an event featuring a panel discussion and keynote address from BCP Founder, Dr. Robyn Riseberg which explored the persistent challenges in pediatric healthcare and highlighted the innovative healthcare model that BCP has created to address these issues. The event placed special emphasis on a discussion about the youth mental health crisis and its impact on families. BCP’s ‘Voices From the Front Lines’ event was held on Wednesday, Nov. 13th at The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
“At this year’s ‘Voices From the Front Lines’ event, we discussed how Boston Community Pediatrics is actively challenging an unjust healthcare system and developing a model that truly transforms lives,” said Dr. Robyn Riseberg, who founded BCP in 2020. “This event was a celebration of what’s possible when we prioritize the health of our most vulnerable children.”
Dr. Riseberg shared impactful stories of BCP patients and discussed how the organization is making a profound difference in their lives through personalized care and community support. The Care Navigation Team at BCP has been a lifeline for patients and their families, offering a range of essential services. These include signing up for daycare waitlists, finding housing, and providing groceries, diapers, clothing, and even Uber rides to get to and from their medical appointments. BCP's onsite mental health clinicians have played a crucial role in addressing the urgent needs of patients who would otherwise experience extended wait times before being able to see a therapist outside of BCP. By offering both individual and group therapy, these clinicians have significantly improved access to timely mental health support, ensuring that patients receive the help they need. The mental health department at BCP also supports teens by helping them explore college options, complete enrollment, and even find job opportunities.
Other featured speakers included Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell; Joseph Kennedy III, Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs; pastor, physician, and humanitarian activist Reverend Ray Hammond, MD; and Dr. Stacy Drury, psychiatrist-in-chief at Boston Children’s Hospital.
BCP’s creation resulted from Dr. Riseberg’s vision to address unequal access to pediatric healthcare. Dr. Riseberg recognized that children from families with low income encounter significant barriers to accessing healthcare, resulting in lifelong consequences. The practice aims to dismantle these barriers through a comprehensive, relationship-driven model of care that addresses not only the physical health of patients but also the social drivers that affect their health. Since its opening, BCP has cared for more than 1,600 pediatric patients, reaching families who the healthcare system has historically marginalized. The ‘Voices From the Front Lines’ event was sponsored by 39 organizations and individuals (full list of sponsors below)
“True to our ethos, ‘Voices From the Front Lines’ promised to be a night of both celebration and substance, focusing on the path toward a more equitable future in pediatric healthcare,” Dr. Riseberg said. “We are profoundly grateful to our speakers, sponsors, and supporters, all of whom share our commitment to driving meaningful change and enhancing the well-being of families in our community.”
Missed the event or just want to relive this amazing night?
Check out our highlight reel!
HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell
Senator Cynthia Stone Creem
Pedro Cruz, Executive Director, Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement
City Councilor John Fitzgerald
Senator Cindy Friedman
José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services
Representative John Moran
Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch
HOST COMMITTEE | ||
Kate & Ajay Agarwal Deb & Ed Cloaninger Annie Schneidman Coleman & Matt Coleman Cherie Craft Shani & George DeFina Lee Englert Annissa Essaibi George Kyra & Adam Grenier Rushika & Maria Fernandopulle Abby Fierman & Mike Grossman Andrea & Todd Finard Debbie & Keith Gelb Kate & Tom Gilbane Jennifer & Christopher Gill Jill & Jason Glashow Mark Goodman Mary Beth & Chris Gordon Lisa Gross & Richard Hoffman The Rev. Drs. Ray A. Hammond & Gloria E. White-Hammond | Gerald Hass Misty Hathaway Joannie Jaxtimer Paul & Melissa Karger Allie Keller Lauren Birchfield Kennedy & Joe Kennedy III Amy & Andy Kingman Anne Conlin Koffel & Ben Koffel Josh Kraft Cindy Laba Robert Lewis, Jr. Jessica & Josh Lutzker Laura & Todd MacLean Maggie Moore & Michael Fleisher Kelli & Jim Morrow Tara Murphy Claire Newton Sarah & Dana Nielsen Kelly & Frank Panayotou Byron Pavano & Kris Chang Leslie Riedel & Scott Friend | Robyn & Doug Riseberg Jua & Regina Robinson Abigail Ross Goodman & David Norr Julie Rousseau Darshak Sanghavi Jacob Sattelmair & Lara Sinicropi-Yao Liza Schneiderman & Gary Shub Jenny & Tom Seeman Jessica & Nik Shah Lori & Matthew Sidman Charles & Jessica Smith Lynne & Gary Smith Lauren Smith & James Boll Stephanie & Brian Spector Jessica St. John Staunton & Jay Staunton Danielle & Jim Stephenson Kate Warren Barnes Tara & Kevin West Lori & EJ Whelan Caitlin Woo-Pierce & Richie Pierce |
EQUITY SPONSORS
DISRUPTOR SPONSORS
GENERATIONAL CHANGE SPONSOR
EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS
ADVOCATE SPONSORS
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Andrea & Todd Finard
Ian & Teri Macduff
The McCourt & Coleman Families
Optum
Ruderman Family Foundation
The VanDernoot/Hirsch Family
