Patriss had never imagined herself in a public health career when she joined the Health Equity Partnership, but here she is, 11 years later, standing at the head of a nonprofit becoming all the more important in a region where healthcare options are declining.
Patriss advocates on all system levels for collaborative solutions to public health concerns. Since October, she has been participating in the state’s Nashoba Valley working group, assembled by Gov. Maura Healey, to address the needs of the region after the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer.
As the Health Equity Partnership’s longest-serving staff member, Patriss heavily values building trusting relationships to sustain the organization’s partnerships with more than 240 governnments and health agencies.
In 2024, Patriss led the nonprofit as it began a massive transportation equity project aimed at growing North Central Mass.’ mobility options, receiving a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. In April, the initiative launched a regional coordinating council to integrate transportation services of participating towns and social service agencies.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
