WINTER 2008

Jessie M. Gaeta, M.D. receives the Be the Change Award at the Massachusetts Conference for Women

MHSA Physician Advocate Jessie M. Gaeta, M.D. received the prestigious Be the Change Award in front of an audience of 5,000 people at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, held at The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on December 11, 2008.

The Massachusetts Conference for Women Be the Change Award was created to honor women who personify compassion for their community and commitment to improving the everyday lives of those around them. The Be the Change Award recognizes a woman who rises above and beyond in the realm of community service by shining light on an unmet need in her community. Her devotion inspires others to carry out their call to action; her efforts pave the way for that action to transpire.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Gaeta expressed her conviction that housing is a necessary medical intervention.  She explained "that housing itself, and the stability it affords a person, is the most important medical intervention. Housing itself is a treatment for chronic illness. It is the most basic element and starting point from which we can begin to build health equity and equity of opportunity.”

Dr. Gaeta went on to discuss what she describes as “the unjust link between homelessness and poor health [that] is most painfully clear as I watch so many patients die prematurely, most often in their late forties.” She shared a story about one of her patients who was diagnosed and successfully treated for cancer once she moved into supportive housing. Dr. Gaeta is convinced that this patient’s cancer would have been discovered far too late for treatment had she remained homeless.

Together with Joe Finn, MHSA Executive Director, Dr. Gaeta conceived and led implementation of Home & Healthy for Good, a statewide Housing First initiative overseen by MHSA that has provided permanent supportive housing to more than 300 chronically homeless individuals across the state and resulted in dramatic health improvements among tenants.  Click here to learn more about Home & Healthy for Good.

Dr. Gaeta's work at MHSA is supported in part by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, the Boston Foundation and Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership.

EVENT PHOTOS

Dr. Gaeta giving her acceptance speech


Dr. Gaeta with Laura Orley of Canyon Ranch. Dr. Gaeta will receive a one-week, all-inclusive stay for two at Canyon Ranch spa in Lenox, MA or Tucson, AZ


Dr. Gaeta being interviewed by nationally syndicated radio talk show host Mel Robbins

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