Family Health Center of Worcester names inaugural chief workforce officer

A man with short, curly black hair wears black glasses, a dark blue suit jacket and tie, and a white button down while he stands with his hands together.

Photo I Courtesy of Family Health Center of Worcester Leon Wilkerson, inaugural chief workforce officer at Family Health Center of Worcester

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By Mica Kanner-Mascolo

As healthcare providers continue to walk off the job post-COVID, the Family Health Center of Worcester has created the community health center’s first-ever chief workforce officer position, naming attorney Leon Wilkerson to the C-suite role.

In a role new to both him and FHCW, Wilkerson will spearhead the federally qualified community health center’s recruitment and retention initiatives, working on professional development and cultivating a culture of belonging for the center’s 450 employees, according to Friday press release from FHCW.

"Leon’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for our organization as we continue our journey toward becoming a collaborative leader in community health equity," Lou Brady, FHCW president and CEO, said in the release. "His extensive experience and innovative approach to workforce development will strengthen our foundation and ensure that FHCW remains an exceptional place to work and grow."

An attorney and human resources executive, Wilkerson brings 10 years of experience in workforce development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strategic leadership in industries including health care, manufacturing, and energy.

Wilkerson earned his law degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, his master's degree in human resource management from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and his bachelor’s in education from University of Florida.

"Joining Family Health Center of Worcester as Chief Workforce Officer is an honor and a responsibility I take deeply to heart," Wilkerson said in the release. "FHCW’s mission to serve our community aligns perfectly with my passion for cultivating inclusive workplaces that empower individuals and teams. I am excited to work alongside the talented staff at FHCW to drive innovation and champion workforce initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of both employees and the patients we serve."

Wilkerson’s appointment comes shortly after Amelia “Lia” Spiliotes was named board chair of FHCW in November. He assumes his new role as the nonprofit achieved a $947,001 budget surplus for 2024, the second consecutive year it ended its fiscal year with a positive balance as the health center continues its rebound from its financial turmoil of 2022.

With $60.33 million in total revenue for the fiscal year ending in June 2023, FHCW is the ninth largest human services nonprofit in Central Massachusetts when ranked by total revenue for the most recent fiscal year, according to data provided to WBJ’s Research Department. With 83 physicians, the center is the sixth largest physician group in the region when ranked by number of participating physicians.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.