UMass Memorial appoints first Black leader as Community Healthlink CEO

Photo | Courtesy of UMass Memorial Health Tamara Lundi, CEO and president of Community Healthlink

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The interim leader of Community Healthlink, a Worcester outpatient health center in Worcester, has been named its permanent CEO, making her the first Black leader of a UMass Memorial Health Care entity.

Tamara Lundi, who took over on an interim basis in the role last December, was announced as the permanent CEO by UMass Memorial on Monday.

The Worcester-based health system said Lundi is the first Black leader of one of its organizations, which include UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Marlborough Hospital, HealthAlliance in Leominster and Clinton Hospital, along with an affiliated physicians group.

Lundi played a pivotal role in Community Healthlink's transition earlier this year to caring for coronavirus patients, UMass Memorial said, and she co-leads a group whose aim is to address issues related to communities of color being disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Lundi, a licensed clinical social worker, has more than 10 years of experience in the human services field in various capacities, including working as a direct care worker, licensed drug and alcohol counselor, and licensed certified social worker. She joined Community Healthlink in 2014 and previously served as its executive vice president, leading development and supervision of its project management office and providing leadership and implementation support for key initiatives. She succeeds Nicole Gagne, who is now chief operating officer at the Springfield health network Center for Human Development.

Community Healthlink, located on Jaques Avenue in Worcester, provides services for mental health, substance abuse and homelessness. It has about 820 full-time-equivalent employees.