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Three employees at The Wright Center for Community Health receive statewide awards
Three standout employees from The Wright Center for Community Health received statewide recognition from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) during its Annual Conference and Clinical Summit in Lancaster.
Each year, PACHC recognizes the outstanding efforts of dedicated individuals and teams who work in and volunteer for community health centers throughout the state with their Awards for Primary Care Excellence, commonly referred to as the APEX awards
Dr. William Dempsey
This year, PACHC recognized Dr. William Dempsey, a longtime family physician at The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, with the Outstanding Primary Care Clinician Award. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Dempsey serves as The Wright Center’s chief population health value-based care officer. He was selected for his unwavering dedication to expanding access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The award also highlights his collaborative approach to patient care, which has improved screenings, follow-ups, and outcomes, especially for patients managing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and chronic conditions.
Catherine “Catie” Nealon
PACHC presented Catherine “Catie” Nealon, associate vice president of clinical program development, population health, and the 340B Program at The Wright Center, with its Innovation Award. The award honors initiatives that lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced health disparities, increased patient satisfaction, or greater efficiency and effectiveness in delivering primary care. Nealon was recognized for spearheading several projects that have strengthened The Wright Center’s ability to set and achieve measurable improvement goals.
Her leadership has advanced the integration of innovative software that tracks clinical quality measures – ensuring patients receive appropriate and timely screenings, follow-up care, referrals, and other essential services that enhance overall health outcomes.
Nicole Sekelsky
Nicole Sekelsky, the director of needs-responsive outreach engagement and enrollment at The Wright Center, was recognized by PACHC with the Coverage Champion Award. She was selected for her tireless efforts to help individuals and families across Northeast Pennsylvania gain access to health insurance.
Through Sekelsky’s leadership, The Wright Center expanded its presence at community outreach events and developed new opportunities to connect with those in need of coverage. As a result, The Wright Center assisted more than 1,000 people with health insurance inquiries in fiscal year 2025 – a 200% increase over the previous year.
PACHC represents and supports the largest network of primary health care providers in Pennsylvania. Since 1981, PACHC programs and services have supported community health centers in their mission to improve access to quality, affordable primary care for all.
In fiscal year 2024-25, The Wright Center served about 38,300 unique patients at its growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike and safety-net provider, it serves vulnerable and medically underserved populations, regardless of age, ethnic background, ZIP code, insurance status, or ability to pay. It accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program based on federal poverty guidelines that considers family size and income. No patient is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.
