Delta Dental of Massachusetts Presents Health Equity Hero Award to Local Health Educator and Leader
Dean for diversity and community partnership at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Joan Reede, wins 2016 award
BOSTON – Delta Dental of Massachusetts, the leading provider of dental benefits in Massachusetts, is proud to present the 2016 Health Equity Hero Award to Dr. Joan Reede, dean for diversity and community partnership at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Over the past 20 years, Dr. Reede established more than 20 programs at HMS that focus on leadership issues for minorities and women who are interested in medicine, academic and scientific research, and health care professions, among other accomplishments.
“Truly honored by this award, I have devoted my career to eliminating barriers, seeking equity and educating health care professionals to treat all populations, particularly those from traditionally-underserved communities,” said Dr. Joan Reede, dean for diversity and community partnership at Harvard Medical School. “Throughout my career as a medical director for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, as well as providing health care in community health centers, juvenile prisons and public schools, and in my current position at Harvard, it is clear that we have made significant progress in health and education, but still have work ahead to eliminate disparities in education, leadership and our health system.”
On June 24, Dr. Reede received the award at the Better Oral Health Massachusetts Coalition Oral Health Summit 2016 from Delta Dental of Massachusetts president Dennis Leonard for her pioneering work, including the creation of a training program for middle and high school teachers, implementation of research and exchange clerkship programs, and design of two innovative fellowships in minority health policy for health care providers.
“As the first dean for diversity and community partnership at HMS, Dr. Reede exemplifies the Health Equity Hero,” said Dennis Leonard, president of Delta Dental of Massachusetts. “During her career, she has served Greater Boston and our nation by enhancing the health care education system at all levels, cultivating a future workforce that is highly skilled in science, education and care delivery, and also connecting with peers and patients with compassion and respect.”
Presented by Delta Dental of Massachusetts, the Health Equity Hero Award recognizes a local leader working to advance and improve health – particularly oral health – in Massachusetts. The honoree received a $1,000 donation designated toward a nonprofit of her choice that is committed to promoting health equity. Dr. Reede chose Mission Grammar School to receive the $1,000 award.
To learn more about Delta Dental of Massachusetts’ efforts to enhance oral health across Massachusetts, please visit: http://www.deltadentalma.com/.
About Delta Dental of Massachusetts
Delta Dental of Massachusetts (deltadentalma.com), the largest provider of dental benefits in the state, is a national leader in innovative programs to improve the overall health of our members, prevent oral disease, and reduce health care costs for employers, groups and individuals. Headquartered in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Delta Dental of Massachusetts covers more than 2 million members. Delta Dental of Massachusetts is a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association (deltadental.com) whose member companies provide dental benefits to more than 62 million people enrolled in more than 114,000 groups across the nation.