UMass Memorial Health Appoints First Female Board of Trustees Chair and First Female, Latina Vice Chair

Decision represents a new leadership era, strengthened by diverse perspectives and merit

Worcester, MA, March 1, 2023 – UMass Memorial Health (UMMH), the largest not-for-profit health care system in Central Massachusetts, announced today the appointment of Dr. Lynda Young as Board Chair and Elvira Guardiola as Vice Chair of the UMMH Board of Trustees. The appointment of Young as UMMH’s first female Chair and Guardiola as UMMH’s first female, Latina Vice Chair represents UMMH’s commitment to bolstering diversity at all levels of leadership and marks a new chapter for the organization spearheaded by two experienced leaders dedicated to upholding health care excellence.

“Dr. Lynda Young and Elvira Guardiola are invaluable additions to our Board’s leadership and will bring their well-respected patient-centric and community-oriented expertise to the table,” said UMMH President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson. “We are grateful to Richard Siegrist for his commitment to UMass Memorial during his remarkable tenure as Chair. I look forward to working with Dr. Young and Elvira to accelerate our growth and strength as a health system as we plan for what’s next for UMass Memorial Health.”

Dr. Young is a board-certified pediatrician and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Previously, Dr. Young worked as Chief of the Division of Community Pediatrics at UMass Memorial Medical Center's Children's Medical Center and chaired the UMass Memorial Medical Group Board for eight years. Dr. Young also served as President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and President of the Massachusetts Medical Society. She is a delegate to the American Medical Association and past chair of its Council on Medical Service.

“It is an honor to be named Chair of the Board of Trustees for UMass Memorial Health at this critical time for health care, when every action and decision can have a major impact on patients and our communities,” said Dr. Young. “Over the past eight years, I’ve watched the system grow, change, and adapt amid unprecedented industry challenges, and I am excited to support its future in this new capacity as Board Chair.”

Guardiola, UMMH’s first female and first Latina Vice Chair, is an attorney currently working for the City of Worcester as the Parking Administrator and Municipal Hearing Officer. She also serves as Chair of UMMH’s Community Benefits Committee and is a volunteer Board Member for Central Mass Housing Alliance, where she currently sits on the Board of Incorporators. Guardiola was formerly the Board Chair for the Girls Choice Program with the YWCA.

“UMass Memorial Health is a beacon of medical innovation and culturally competent, compassionate care, serving as a critical resource to the patients it serves throughout Central Massachusetts and the Commonwealth,” said Guardiola. “To preserve and uphold that legacy, I am committed to ensuring that a diversity of community perspectives are represented in conversations about the system’s path forward.”

UMass Memorial Health’s Board of Trustees is comprised of 19 community members who volunteer their time and service to oversee the direction and management of the health system, with a focus on advancing UMMH’s commitment to knowledge, innovation, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of healing. Due to their contributions to leadership and the decision-making process, UMass Memorial Health remains a leader in the region for both health care and employment.

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About UMass Memorial Health

UMass Memorial Health is the largest not-for-profit health care system in Central Massachusetts with more than 16,500 employees and 2,100 physicians, many of whom are members of UMass Memorial Medical Group. We are the clinical partner of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Our comprehensive system includes UMass Memorial Health – HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, UMass Memorial Health – Marlborough Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Memorial Health – Community Healthlink. Visit www.ummhealth.org.

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