Press Release

President and CEO Deborah C. Enos and Neighborhood Health Plan
Honored by Boston Business Journal as Leaders in Diversity

Boston, MA - October 22, 2010 – The Boston Business Journal (BBJ) named president and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan, Deborah C. Enos, and the company itself as 2010 Leaders in Diversity. Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) was the only organization to be honored in both categories. The BBJ honored seven individuals and three companies for their leadership in promoting inclusiveness and economic opportunity. BBJ presented the awards at its first annual Leaders in Diversity event at the Westin Waterfront Hotel.

"Providing economic opportunity to a wider cross-section of Bostonians and promoting more diversity are key components to making Boston a better place to live and work," said Chris McIntosh, Publisher of the Boston Business Journal. "We're pleased to honor individuals and companies that are taking the lead."

Deborah Enos is a long-time proponent of workplace diversity. “We exist as a specialized health plan specifically to serve a population that is diverse by its very definition,” said Ms. Enos. “We recognize that to fulfill our mission and do it well, it is essential for our organization to be reflective of the members and communities that we serve. I am thrilled that our organization has been recognized by the BBJ for our focus on diversity and inclusion, and am also honored to be personally recognized for something that I have been interested in my entire professional career.” In June of 2010, Ms. Enos was indoctrinated into the YWCA Boston Academy of Women Achievers for her efforts to eliminate racism.

The BBJ company award recognizes NHP for its hiring and training practices. NHP believes that the best way to serve a diverse population is to foster diversity within its own organization. As such, NHP actively recruits and maintains a diverse workforce, not only to strengthen its internal organization, but to better equip staff to provide culturally competent care. Racial/ethnic minorities, GLBT, and staff with disabilities account for 45% of NHP’s employees and are represented at every level and job function. In addition, NHP established an internal Diversity Committee at the company over a decade ago which is a vital and active force in the organization today.

“Neighborhood Health Plan is committed to diversity,” said Joanne Derr, vice president of Human Resources and chair of the NHP Diversity Committee who accepted the award on behalf of NHP. “It has been with us since the beginning; it is part of our corporate culture.”

About Neighborhood Health Plan
Neighborhood Health Plan is a not-for-profit health insurer serving more than 210,000 members across Massachusetts, offering a wide array of government-funded and commercial products. NHP provides health care programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, through small business employer groups, and through Massachusetts' groundbreaking health care reform. Founded in 1986 by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and the Greater Boston Forum for Health Action, NHP focuses on offering members access to care from over 2,800 primary care physicians and over 10,400 specialists in over 300 primary care locations throughout Massachusetts. NHP is recognized as a national leader in care for medically complex and severely disabled populations. Central to Neighborhood Health Plan's mission, the organization places special emphasis on serving culturally diverse, traditionally underserved, and vulnerable populations.

Media Contact: Rhian Gregory - Neighborhood Health Plan - 617-620-0517