Carl Brown is an IT Security Manager for the Rhode Island Lottery, a state agency that oversees all aspects of lottery operations and gaming in the State. Prior to this position, he was with the YMCA of Greater Providence for more than a decade, holding positions of increasing responsibility including Chief Operating Officer. Brown received his BS in Business Administration from Providence College.

“I am excited to serve as Vice Chairman for the state’s largest health center network. Our Board is proud to provide guidance and oversight as Providence Community Health Centers grows and innovates to meet the needs of more than 60,000 patients annually.”

Amber Bichun is an audit manager in Citrin Cooperman’s Providence, Rhode Island office with over seven years of experience in public accounting. Amber works with clients in the healthcare (including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and Federally Qualified Health Centers), not-for-profit, and employee benefit plan industries to provide financial statement audits and other services. Amber has experience in federal regulatory reporting and compliance requirements, including Uniform Guidance, HUD regulatory reporting, Uniform Financial Reporting, Medicare and Medicaid cost reports, and Federal Form 990. Amber is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Massachusetts. She graduated from Nichols College, where she earned a Master of Business Administration, and a double Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance.

"I am honored to be part of the Board of Directors at PCHC as I have always had a passion for healthcare and believe that all members of society should have access to quality healthcare. I look forward to helping PCHC navigate the changing Healthcare landscape and working to ensure that excellent care is available to all members of our communities.”

Wendy Thomas has been a member of the Board since 2010 and a patient with PCHC since 2008. At that time, a house-fire had left Wendy homeless and she found PCHC when looking for a primary care doctor. Wendy is no longer homeless and now spends most of her time giving back and advocating for those in need in the Providence community.

"Being a member of the Board helps me to give back to PCHC. Because of my experience with homelessness, I consider myself the “homeless advocate” on the board.  During my years as a patient here, I have had very good primary care doctors. I find the providers at PCHC want to do what’s right for those in need, people who can’t afford healthcare otherwise. “

Cassandra Feeney is a trial attorney and Principal of Hamel, Waxler, Allen & Collins, representing clients in both state and federal courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, as well as before administrative and licensing boards. Cassandra specializes her practice in medical-malpractice defense, premises liability, toxic-tort claims, employment law, and education law.  Previously, Cassandra served as a Rhode Island Supreme Court Law Clerk for the Honorable Francis X. Flaherty, as well as the Rhode Island Supreme Court Law Clerk Department.  In addition, to her work on the PCHC board, Cassandra is a member of the Roger Williams University School of Law's Pro Bono Collaborative Advisory Committee. Cassandra received her BA from University of Rhode Island, and her JD from New England School of Law in Boston. Cassandra hails from Minnesota and now is happy to call Rhode Island home. 

"It is an honor to have an opportunity to make a positive difference for patients and the services provided.  When an opportunity arose to join the PCHC board and serve the mission to provide high-quality and accessible medical care to patients, who might otherwise go without care, it was something I was eager to do.”

Michael Cancilliere is President & CEO of CO-OP | Cooperative Production Inc., which provides a wide range of clinical resources to people with disabilities. Those services include nursing and healthcare; occupational, physical, and speech therapies; counseling and behavioral support; and assistive technology to help ensure the greatest level of personal fulfillment and community participation possible.

He previously served as the Executive Director for Massachusetts programs at Meeting Street. Michael holds his Bachelor's in Psychology and an MBA from the University of Rhode Island. He is also a licensed Mental Health Counselor.

"I am proud to be part of the Board of Directors at PCHC as I have always believed in the right for all children and families to have access to high quality healthcare. Supporting communities is one of the best ways we can ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect. This is an ideal that PCHC embodies at every phase of care from expert providers, state of the art facilities and partnerships, committed leadership, and a strong relationship with the patients we serve. I look forward to helping PCHC navigate the changing healthcare landscape and working to ensure that excellent care is available to all members of our communities.”

e serve. I look forward to helping PCHC navigate the changing Healthcare landscape and working to ensure that excellent care is available to all members of our communities.”

Emilian Eqbuche is a Board Member as well as a patient with PCHC.

Mary Jean Francis Bishop joined the Board of Directors after more than 36 years as an employee in numerous roles with PCHC. Mary Jean began her career at PCHC in 1972 when PCHC was operating in store fronts.  She left for a short time, and then in 1980, she returned first as Coordinator of Senior Citizens Services, then working as a Pediatric Staff Nurse for PCHC Central. As special outreach programs at PCHC were needed, Mary Jean took on leadership roles to develop them and provide guidance. She worked as Coordinator of Southeast Asia Health Care - a three-year Maternal and Child Health SPANS grant, AmeriCorps Program Director, and Preventative Medicine Coordinator. From 2003 until she retired in 2016, Mary Jean was Vice President of Performance Improvement at PCHC working with the Medical Director to lead the personnel and work processes of the Performance Improvement, Risk Management, and Patient Safety Programs. She was instrumental in bringing the Reach Out and Read Program to PCHC and continues to serve as a volunteer.  Mary Jean received her BS in Nursing and her MS in Nursing Administration from the University of Rhode Island. 

"As a consumer as well for 36 years, I have first hand experience with PCHC’s mission in action and the quality of its care, not only for myself, but my parents, children, and grandchildren.  I believe in community-based care that responds to the ever-emerging needs of the residents, and see PCHC as a vital force for the health of Providence.  It is my privilege to continue to serve PCHC in my new role as board member.”

Christina Zanfagna has been a patient at PCHC since 1977 and a Board member since 1995.  She served her first ten years on the board as the Board Chair.

“I’m a life long resident of Providence and at 16 years old I started working in a local jewelry factory and at 28 years old I contracted a lung disease from the factory fumes and became extremely sick. Dr. Block, a very young doctor and new to PCHC at the time, recognized my symptoms and saved my life! I have been blessed to be part of the PCHC family ever since. As a patient and a board member, what I appreciate most about PCHC is that everyone is treated with respect.”

Joseph Nagle is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Dental of Rhode Island and its subsidiary corporations: The Altus Group, Altus Realty and First Circle. Over the course of his career at Delta Dental, Joe instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in the company, starting seven new business ventures to expand and diversify the company. Prior to joining Delta Dental in 1992, he was a founding partner of the Capstone Group, Ltd., a Providence-based healthcare consulting firm. Joe is the former Vice President for Strategic Planning and Product Development for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, as well as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for United Health Plans of New England. Joe began his career with the international accounting and consulting firm of Ernst & Young. He is a certified public accountant and a 1978 summa cum laude graduate from Providence College.

Joe has served on numerous boards and committees in his career including the President’s Council of Providence College, the Boards of Trustees of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) and the Boards of Directors of the Rhode Island Commodores, Diagnostic Information Systems, Delta Dental Plans Association and DeltaUSA.

Richard Hemphill is a longtime community leader who has been served as president of the Silver Lake/Olneyville Little league for more than a decade. Richard served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 15 years, achieving the rank of sergeant.

As an instructor with the Marine Corps Leadership Academy, he taught courses on Leadership, History, Customs and Courtesy. He has worked in a number of industries during his career including the service industry, building facilities, and corrections.

Althea Graves has been a member of the PCHC Community Advisory Council since January 2020. She began her work as a community activist in 1972, when her mother, the late community activist Mary C. Jones, brought her to her first community event. Althea has served on numerous boards, committees, and commissions including the ONE Neighborhood Builders Board of Directors, Providence Community Library Board of Directors, Smith Hill Community Development Corporation, and Smith Hill Advocacy and Resource Partnerships. Althea is a retired educator and an outspoken supporter of healthy, inclusive, and equitable health services, education, and housing.

N. Joseph Espat, MD, MS, FACS, is Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Director of the Cancer Center at Roger Williams Medical Center. A Professor of Surgery and Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs at Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Espat focuses his practice on Hepatobiliary and Surgical Oncology. Dr. Espat completed a Surgical Oncology/Hepatobiliary fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He completed residency and medical school at University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Espat is a committee member for several National Societies and is on the Editorial and/or Review Board of 20 Journals.

J. Russell Corcoran MD, FACP, is an internist and geriatrician who has a medical acupuncture practice in Narragansett. He is Medical Director of the HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care home care team serving patients in the southern half of Rhode Island. He has held numerous physician leadership positions during his career including as Chief Medical Officer at South County Health. Dr. Corcoran graduated from Medical School at Georgetown University and completed his residency at the Brown Program at Rhode Island Hospital. He has expertise in geriatrics, hospice, pain control, medical acupuncture, care of special needs patients, and Patient Centered Medical Homes.