Caring Health Center Welcomes Dr. Abraham Thomas as Chief Medical Officer
SPRINGFIELD — Caring Health Center (CHC) announced the appointment of Dr. Abraham Thomas as its new chief medical officer, effective immediately.
Thomas brings more than two decades of distinguished clinical and executive leadership experience, including past positions as system chair of Medicine at Baystate Health, chief medical and quality officer at Central Maine Healthcare, and chief of Medicine at NYU Lutheran Medical Center. His track record of transforming care delivery, improving patient outcomes, and leading innovative population health strategies makes him a tremendous asset to the future of Caring Health Center, said Tania Barber, president and CEO.
“As a physician-leader deeply committed to equity, quality, and innovation, Dr. Thomas exemplifies Caring Health Center’s mission to provide culturally responsive, comprehensive, and community-focused healthcare,” Barber added. “His background reflects our commitment to delivering accessible care and promoting health equity for the communities we serve. Dr. Thomas’s unique ability to lead with vision and empathy will enhance our clinical excellence while supporting the well-being of our diverse patients.”
Thomas’s leadership spans major health systems and federally qualified health centers. He has significant experience managing teams, driving quality improvement, and overseeing clinical services. He led growth and safety programs at Baystate Health and advanced performance at Central Maine Healthcare.
He is also a former chair of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s endocrinologic and metabolic drugs advisory committee and holds certifications in lean healthcare, human-centered design, and executive leadership from institutions such as Harvard and the University of Michigan.
Thomas holds a doctor of medicine degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, a master of public health degree from Harvard School of Public Health, and is a candidate for an MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
“I’m honored to join Caring Health Center at this pivotal moment,” he said. “As a mission-driven organization rooted in community impact, CHC offers an extraordinary opportunity to expand access, improve health equity, and deliver high-quality care to the patients who need it most.”