Deb Polun has been named the Chief Strategy Officer at the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut.

By Ronni Newton

Deb Polun will return to the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (CHCACT) on Aug. 21 – this time in the newly-created role of chief strategy officer.

Polun, who has 25 years of health policy experience, previously worked for CHCACT from 2012-2019 in the role of vice president External Affairs, and for the past four years has served as executive director of the Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA).

Polun is also actively involved in the West Hartford community, serving since 2022 as a member of the Town Council, and prior to that was a member of the Board of Education for five years, including a term as chair.

“It’s been my privilege to work with the Community Action Agencies in their provision of social services to low income people in Connecticut,” she said Wednesday. “Now I’m excited to return to the health policy arena with a strategic focus – to help more people across Connecticut access the high quality care the health centers provide.”

According to an announcement from CHCACT, Polun will not only guide strategy and public policy and build partnerships with nonprofit and for-profit organizations, but will also lead CHCACT’s legislative agenda, advocating for the 16 community health centers they represent. CHCACT serves more than 420,000 patients through those centers, which offer primary care, dental care and other vital health care needs to more than 10% of Connecticut’s population.

“Deb brings tremendous knowledge of Connecticut’s Community Health Center program as well as outstanding relationships with members of the General Assembly, Governor’s Office and Administrative offices,” CHCACT CEO Shawn Frick said in a statement. “Her 25-year track record in public policy that benefits low income individuals and families will be essential to our organization and the people for whom we advocate on a daily basis. She will be a wonderful addition to our team and will lead us to achieving our advocacy goals on behalf of our members and patients we serve.”

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