Woonsocket Radio News Room

Thundermist Health Center Hosts Annual Breakfast Meeting  

Thundermist Highlighted the Challenges
Facing Primary Care Providers in Rhode Island and

Honored West Warwick Town Manager Col. Mark Knott and 

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders for

Their Partnership 

  

Warwick, RI (March 4, 2024)—Thundermist Health Center was pleased to welcome more than 100 attendees to its annual breakfast meeting on Monday, March 4, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. The event highlighted the many ways Thundermist is working to increase access to primary care in Rhode Island.  

Last year, Thundermist cared for more than 62,000 patients, or one out of every 18
Rhode Islanders—an increase of 20% in the last five years. With more patients
turning to Thundermist for care, the organization continues to develop new and
innovative ways to meet the demand, including recently purchasing buildings in
Woonsocket and West Warwick to expand access to primary care and preparing for
its family medicine physician residency, which will launch in Woonsocket in
2026.  

 

The annual meeting was also an opportunity for Thundermist to unveil its 2023
annual report and highlight the contributions of key partners in expanding
access to care. Elizabeth DaSilva, APRN-CNP, associate medical director of
Thundermist’s West Warwick location, delivered keynote remarks highlighting the
role of health centers in keeping communities healthy. Thundermist also
recognized two members of its board of directors with milestone awards.   

 

In addition, Thundermist presented West Warwick Town Manager Col. Mark Knott with the Francesco Cannistra, MD, Memorial award. This honor is presented each year to an individual or group who has contributed to improving healthcare in Rhode
Island. In choosing Col. Knott, Thundermist noted he exemplifies many of the
traits the health center’s founders displayed more than five decades ago.  

 

Knott has been instrumental in expanding care in West Warwick and helping meet his community's needs. “Mark is a collaborative leader who works to improve the
lives of the people of West Warwick,” Linda Cannistra, secretary of Thundermist
Health Center Board of Directors, said. “He’s an ally in addressing homelessness in West Warwick with compassion and dignity.”  

 

Thundermist chose GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) as the recipient of the Community Partnership award. Thundermist’s Board of Directors established the Community Partnership Award, to honor an agency or individual who distinguishes themselves as an exceptional partner and who has worked to increase support and awareness of Thundermist’s mission.  

 

GLAD is a strategic partner on key legislative and policy issues that impact the
LGBTQ+ community in New England. They invest many resources and devote countless hours to advance policy issues that directly impact Thundermist patients and communities, as well as employees.  

 

“GLAD is a local and regional treasure, with national impact, working to create a
just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression,
HIV status, and sexual orientation through policy, education, and strategic
litigation,” Jeanne LaChance, president, and CEO of Thundermist, said. 

Thundermist’s 2023 Annual Report is available to read here. 

 

 

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