Merrill Thomas, President and CEO of The Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC), has been recognized as a “2020 Leaders & Achievers” awardee by the Providence Business News.

The 25 individuals recognized were chosen based on their leadership, achievements, and longstanding commitment to the business community, as well as a sustained demonstration of leading others, community service, and mentoring in the region. The executives honored in this year’s program work in various industries and sectors, including health care, government, nonprofit, real estate, finance, and manufacturing.

Next year will mark 20 years since Thomas was named President and CEO of PCHC. During that time, he has worked with an outstanding group of clinicians, support staff, leaders, and the Board of Directors to double the number of patients served. Last year, PCHC provided care to more than 60,000 Rhode Islanders, its highest total ever.

During Thomas’s time at the helm of PCHC, the organization has launched numerous new sites and programs with a goal of best serving the community. PCHC’s operating budget has grown from $7 million to $70 million during that time and the staff has grown to more than 540.

The honorees will be recognized at a virtual awards ceremony on August 20th.

AUGUST 13, 2019

Claudia Clarke, DO, Internal Medicine-Pediatrics – PCHC Central
Dr. Clarke earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology and Biomedical Engineering Systems from Tufts University; her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. After completing her Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency training at the State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Dr. Clarke cared for patients at an inner city community health center near Boston, MA. She is committed to caring for both children and adults. Her clinical interests include Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and caring for adult survivors of childhood diseases. Claudia is first-generation Jamaican-American and is bilingual, English and Spanish. In her free time, Dr. Clarke enjoys bird watching, kayaking and snowshoeing.

Sheldon Malcolm, DO, Family Medicine – PCHC Prairie
Dr. Malcolm received his Bachelor’s degree from Bates College and is a graduate of University of New England College of Osteopathic. He completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island/Brown Family Medicine Residency. He was most recently practicing in North Providence and looks forward to meeting his new patients at PCHC Prairie Avenue. When Sheldon is not working, he enjoys gardening, yoga and spending time with his family. Sheldon is joining PCHC this summer, replacing Dr. Cesar Mora who is moving to PCHC Express.

Zein Farhat, MD, Family Medicine – PCHC Chafee
Dr. Farhat earned his Bachelor of Sciences degree from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon; and his medical degree from University of Balamand, School of Medicine in Lebanon. Dr. Farhat completed his Family and Community Medicine Residency program at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland where he is Chief Resident and a member of the Family Medicine Residency Educational committee. Prior to his residency, Dr. Farhat completed a Public Health Fellowship at the department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research with the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. In his free time, Zein enjoys traveling, swimming and playing soccer. He has relocated to Rhode Island with his wife and their one-year-old son.

Ekknoor Sahota, MD, Internal Medicine – PCHC Olneyville 
Dr. Sahota received her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in India, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine with Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sahota also completed a fellowship in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement in Pittsburgh. Ekknoor was raised in India, moved to Canada and then to Pennsylvania. She recently relocated to Rhode Island. Dr. Sahota is fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi. In her free time, Ekknoor enjoys biking, hiking and other outdoor activities. Dr. Sahota will be serving Dr. Erick Soria-Galvarro’s patients as Dr. Soria is moving to a Float provider position with PCHC while his family prepares to leave Rhode Island.

Ursulina Bencosme, MD, MPH, Pediatrician – PCHC Central
Dr. Bencosme earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from St. Joseph’s College; her Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College; and her Master of Public Health from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Bencosme completed her Pediatric residency with Brown University at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence and is excited to be moving back to Rhode Island. Dr. Bencosme has nearly 20 years of experience providing primary care to children and adolescents. As both a Pediatrician and Assistant Medical Director of Children’s Aid in New York, Dr. Bencosme has also had significant involvement implementing programs and trainings in foster care health. In her free time, Ursulina enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her husband, son and daughter. She is bilingual English/Spanish. Dr. Bencosme will be caring for Dr. Ellen Gurney’s patients when Dr. Gurney retires at the end of the summer.

Please join us in welcoming everyone to PCHC.

On June 21st, PCHC received a Providence Business News Best Places to Work in Rhode Island Award for the second year in a row! It was a tremendous event, with many outstanding businesses coming from all over Rhode Island. Thank you to those staff members who attended the event, as well as to all our exceptional staff members who made this award possible; we are very proud!

For a list of all of the companies awarded, please visit the Providence Business News (PBN) website https://pbn.com/event/best-places-to-work/

Now in existence for almost 50 years, Providence Community Health Centers, Inc. strives to expand offerings to better meet the needs of the community. 
Our mission is critical to Providence—we provide neighborhood-based, high-quality care to more than 50,000 Providence area residents, many of whom would not otherwise have access to affordable care. With 11 facilities in the city, PCHC contributes to the city’s economy and community redevelopment, and with 400 employees, we provide substantial employment opportunities to local residents.

We need your support to keep our programs and facilities accessible and affordable: Please join us for the Providence Community Health Centers’ 11thAnnual Golf Tournament at Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, RI on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. This is an important annual fundraiser for PCHC and a fun day on this beautiful golf course too.

For sponsorship details, to add your name to the reservation list, or for more information on the Golf benefit, please contact Deb Spicuzza, Executive Assistant, at 401-444-0400 x 3160 or send an email.

Providence Community Health Centers has been hosting Give Kids A Smile event for 8 years as a way to provide free dental care to local children who desperately need it. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nearly one in four children aged 2 to 11 years old have untreated cavities in their baby teeth. Many children enrolled in Medicaid receive no dental services throughout the year.

• Last year (2016) we had a great turn out – Seeing a total of 86 patients of which 78 were new to PCHC! Our Dentist and Hygienist performed over 76 cleanings, 83 exams, 52 x-rays, and 7 extractions.

The American Dental Association (ADA) launched the Give Kids A Smile program nationally in 2003 as a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide dental services to underserved children. Each year 350,000 to 400,000 children benefit from more than 1,500 events, all because of the efforts of 40,000 or more annual volunteers nationwide.

Give Kids A Smile is held annually to:

• Provide free, easily accessible dental services to qualifying individuals.
• Raise awareness of the epidemic of untreated dental disease occurring locally and nationally and create local public and private partnerships to increase access to oral health care to solve this crisis.

PCHC Dental Clinic will be sponsoring our annual Give Kids A Smile event on Friday, April 21^st,