Neighborhood Health Center President and Chief Executive Officer Joanne Haefner, MS, FNP, was recognized with a Women of Distinction Award, one of New York State’s highest honors, by New York State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan in Albany on May 5.

“Joanne has dedicated her career to helping others and oversees one of our region’s largest primary care providers,” Senator Gallivan said. “Her leadership is instrumental in the delivery of high quality, patient-centered health care to thousands of Western New York residents. In addition to being an enthusiastic advocate for Neighborhood Health, Joanne shares her knowledge and experience with numerous community organizations.”

Joanne serves on the board of the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), Univera Healthcare Regional Advisory Board, and Board of Trustees for D’Youville University, and chairs the CHCANYS Health Center Controlled Network board. She is the vice president of Western New York’s Safety Net IPA and Safety Net Association of Primary Care Providers (SNAPCAP), among other volunteer roles.

Neighborhood is the region’s longest tenured Federally Qualified Health Center and has consistently been the highest ranked health center in WNY for quality, and among the highest ranked in the state. Under Joanne’s leadership, Neighborhood has grown to include six locations – with a seventh location opening on Delaware Avenue in North Buffalo this summer – as well as a mobile unit. Additionally, based on employee surveys, Neighborhood earned the distinction of Buffalo Business First Best Places to Work Finalist in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.