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ACAP Recognizes CHPW’s Brisa Guajardo with “Making A Difference” Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2017
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515
ACAP RECOGNIZES BRISA GUAJARDO OF COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON
WITH “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” AWARD
SEATTLE—The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) recognized Brisa Guajardo, a business development manager at Community Health Plan of Washington, with the organization’s national “Making a Difference” Award at the plan’s offices in Seattle today.
The award recognizes an employee at an ACAP-member Safety Net Health Plan who goes far beyond the boundaries of their job description in efforts to improve their community, support underserved populations, and fulfill community needs. Awardees are selected by a group of human resources directors from ACAP-member health plans on how well they support ACAP’s principles of advocacy for beneficiaries, care, access to quality health care, and a commitment to the public good.
Ms. Guajardo, who has worked in public health for more than 20 years, was recognized for her unwavering commitment to deliver accessible manage care and to improve the health of communities through her work to advocate for people who have trouble accessing affordable health care. She has held leadership positions at a number of community organizations in eastern Washington, including the Grace Clinic, Tri-Cities Latino Professionals, After School Matters, Junior Achievement, and the Health Access Team.
Most remarkably, Brisa once opened up her home to a disadvantaged 18-year-old young man, provided him with shelter, helped him secure health coverage through Medicaid, enter a GED program, and find employment.
“Brisa’s work is in equal measure a career and a calling,” noted Leanne Berge, CEO of Community Health Plan of Washington. “She has connected thousands of Washington state residents with needed care—and has done so with compassion, honesty, and humility. All of us are lucky to have her as a colleague here at CHPW.”
“Ms. Guajardo shows us the best that Safety Net Health Plans have to offer,” said Margaret A. Murray, CEO, Association for Community Affiliated Plans. “Her extensive volunteer work at Grace Clinic and other organizations in her community show her readiness to go above and beyond her job description in order to effect positive change in her community. We’re thrilled to recognize her for the difference she makes in her community.”
The Making a Difference Award includes a cash prize, which Ms. Guajardo will donate to Grace Clinic, a free clinic in Kennewick, Wash.
About ACAP
ACAP represents 60 not-for-profit Safety Net Health Plans, which provide health coverage to more than seventeen million people in 29 states. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
About Community Health Plan of Washington
Founded in 1992 by a network of community and migrant health centers in Washington State, Community Health Plan of Washington is a not-for-profit health plan. The mission of CHPW is to deliver accessible managed care services that meet the needs and improve the health of our communities and to make managed care participation beneficial for community-responsive providers.
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