LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Barbra E. Minch upon the occasion of her
retirement as President/CEO after 35 years of dedicated service to the
William F. Ryan Community Health Network

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Barbra E.
Minch upon the occasion of her retirement as President/CEO after 35
years of dedicated service to the William F. Ryan Community Health
Network; she will step down from this position effective June 27, 2014;
and
WHEREAS, For the past 35 years, Barbra E. Minch has rendered excep-
tional and invaluable service to the William F. Ryan Community Health
Network, (Ryan Network) a system of Community Health Centers in New York
City that provides medically underserved New Yorkers with access to
culturally-sensitive, high quality, affordable, primary, preventive, and
specialty healthcare and supportive services; this laudable organization
has, over its 46-year history, served all people, regardless of income,
neighborhood, race, or language; and
WHEREAS, Committed to the principle, often expressed by the late
Congressman William F. Ryan, that "healthcare is a right, not a privi-
lege," Barbra E. Minch has worked tirelessly and fearlessly to assure
the accessibility of affordable healthcare for millions of New York City
residents; and
WHEREAS, Barbra E. Minch joined the William F. Ryan Community Health
Center as an administrator in 1979; she became Deputy Director soon
thereafter and, in 1995, was appointed Executive Director by the Board
of Directors; in 2001, she was appointed President and CEO; and
WHEREAS, Barbra E. Minch led the development of the Ryan Network into
one of the most reliable, patient-friendly and cost-efficient healthcare
centers for uninsured and underinsured individuals in New York City;
during her illustrious tenure, this accomplished woman increased the
number of patients from 34,000 to more than 50,000 annually, and
increased the number of Ryan Network healthcare sites from 10 to 17; and
WHEREAS, This far-sighted leader's vision led to the emergence of
top-notch health care in local schools, as well as the creation of a
fleet of mobile medical services that visit every neighborhood in New
York City's five boroughs; through her negotiated agreement with Contin-
uum Health Partners, now known as Mount Sinai Medical Center Health
System, to train their internal medicine residents throughout the Ryan
Network, she has helped ensure the development of a future generation of
primary care physicians to serve some of New York State's most vulner-
able residents; and
WHEREAS, Barbra E. Minch's exceptional work has resulted in national
recognition; she is responsible for the Ryan Health Network gaining
national accreditation from the Joint Commission, and Level 3 Medical
Home status; and
WHEREAS, This accomplished woman has had an impact at the state and
national levels as well; she played an integral role in helping to
establish the Coalition to Preserve Access to Community-Based Health
Care Providers, which set the stage for direct funding to Community
Health Centers in New York State, and because of her fruitful partic-
ipation in the Community Health Center movement, Barbra E. Minch was
inducted into the National Association of Community Health Centers
(NACHC) Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, In her capacity as President/CEO of the William F. Ryan
Community Health Network, Barbra E. Minch served with loyalty, honor and
distinction, governed by a keen sense of mission, and always showing a
unique grasp of human problems in her official acts; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a blending of strength,
leadership, intellect, compassion, and commitment as that demonstrated
by Barbra E. Minch over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to
others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Barbra E. Minch for her outstanding career of magnificent
achievements on behalf of New Yorkers in need of health care, and to
wish her a rewarding and well-earned retirement; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Barbra E. Minch.