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About CHA

Providing the care people need most throughout their lives

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) is a vibrant, innovative health system dedicated to providing equity and excellence for everyone, every time. As the sole public hospital in Massachusetts, CHA is proud to serve people of all ages from across the Boston region, providing the care they need most in their lives.

Key services include primary care, behavioral health, emergency care, surgery and specialty care, hospital care, maternity and state-of-the-art testing services. These are offered at convenient neighborhood locations. CHA patients also have seamless access to advanced care for rare or complex conditions at its clinical partners - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Mass. General Brigham for Children.

CHA's work extends far beyond patient care. It has a robust Department of Community Health and operates the nationally accredited Cambridge Public Health Department. It collaborates closely with local governments and non-profits to improve health and reduce barriers to care. As a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine, CHA trains the health care providers of tomorrow.

  • Our History

    Cambridge Health Alliance was created in 1996 by the Massachusetts legislature as an independent public authority and public safety net hospital (see Ch. 147 of the Acts of 1996). This effort allowed CHA's two founding entities - Cambridge Hospital and Somerville Hospital - to join together to better meet the needs of patients across the Boston metro-north region and fulfill a shared community health mission. 

    In 2001, CHA acquired the former Whidden Memorial Hospital (now CHA Everett Hospital) and associated services in Malden and Revere, MA. This expanded CHA's service area to help it serve even more individuals and families in need.

    In 2013, CHA entered into a clinical affiliation with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) to further coordinate delivery of health care services, develop a preferred provider relationship and jointly invest in and develop coordinated clinical programs. This gives CHA patients direct access to specialized care for rare or highly complex conditions. 

  • Our Purpose
    We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to be healthy.

    Our providers and staff provide outstanding health care to our communities and are committed to improving access to care, while pursuing health equity and social justice. 

    We support policies that protect and improve the health of all, with a special focus on underserved people in our communities and across our nation. This is core to our mission. 

    We find new ways to bring care to the people
    • Access to care during COVID-19. CHA provided expert care with telehealth visits, COVID testing in the community, and a community management model to provide expert care while keeping people out of the hospital. 
    • Expanded Primary Care teams. Today, every CHA primary care patient has a multi-functional team to help them manage their health. Teams are led by primary care doctors and include nurses, behavioral health clinicians, pharmacists and other providers. 
    • Improved access to behavioral health care. CHA is emphasizes whole person health, including bringing behavioral health services to people in more accessible ways: 
      • CHA was one of 25 Community Behavioral Health Centers in Massachusetts, opening daily walk-in care for mental health needs in Cambridge and Malden, and offering 24-hour crisis services.
      • Every CHA Care Center has integrated behavioral health clinicians on its care teams and provides suboxone treatment. This lets us meet patient needs in a safe, familiar location and reduces stigma associated with behavioral health. 
      • CHA has a Health Integration Program (Mental Health Home) for patients with intensive or chronic mental illness. This service is a home base for patients, meeting their outpatient behavioral health needs while providing primary care.
      • CHA is helping address the opioid crisis by placing Recovery Coaches in its Emergency Departments. This engages people at the initial point of contact to help them access recovery services.
    • Supporting patients who need it most. CHA is committed to helping patients with multiple health conditions who need more support. This may include regular phone calls and help navigating the health system. CHA is also identifying social determinants of health, and connecting patients to resources that can improve their health and their lives.
    • Building a Population Health infrastructure to adapt to new health care financial models that use global payments.
  • Awards and Recognition
    CHA System-Wide Awards

    > An American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Partner, receiving the prestigious ACS distinction for committing to the highest quality care (2026). 

    > One of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging & Community by Newsweek (2026)

    > NDNQI Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality in Psychiatry by Press Ganey (2025)

    > Top 10 in the Nation for Health Equity by the Lown Institute (2025)

    > #1 in Massachusetts for Community Benefit by the Lown Institute (2025)

    > One of the Best Employers in Massachusetts by Forbes (2025)

    > Named a Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (2025). 

    > 29 CHA Physicians Named Boston Magazine Top Doctors (2025)

    > One of America's Best Maternity Hospitals by Newsweek (2025)

    > A "LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader" by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (2024-2025).

    Service and Location Awards

    > CHA was recognized for Age-Friendly Care by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) for services provided at CHA Cambridge Hospital, CHA Everett Hospital, and the CHA Broadway Care Center in Somerville (2026). 

    > The CHA Windsor Street Care Center received the MHQP Patient Experience Award for both Patient-Clinician Communications and Coordinating Patient Care (2026).

    Staff Awards

    > Dr. Hannah Galvin (Pediatrics, Health Information) received the 2026 HIMSS Changemaker in Health Award for Health Equity, recognizing leaders working to improve care using information and technology.  

    > Dr. Fa’Iz Bayo-Awoyemi (Family Medicine), received the 2026 Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Educator of the Year Award. 

    > Dr. John Ahern (Family Medicine), received the 2026 Amos Deinard Award from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry for championing medical-dental care integration.  

    > Dr. Michael Payne (Gastroenterology) received the 2025 Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) Award for Outstanding Service in recognition of his extraordinary efforts to support Harvard University through leadership and engagement activities. 

    > Dr. Hjalmar Zambrana-Bonaparte (Neuropsychology) received the 2025 Judy E. Hall Early Career Psychologist Award for his work on culturally responsive psychology practices. 

    > Recent Harvard Medical School (HMS) teaching awards:

    HMS Sandra and Arnold Gold Award for Humanistic Teaching - Dr. Alison Rapoport (2024), Dr. Moon Kwoun (2025)

    HMS Outstanding Core-Clerkship Site Director Award - Dr. Yamini Saravanan (2024), Dr. Lenna Finger (2025)

    HMS Charles McCabe Faculty Prize for Excellence in Clinical Teaching - Dr. Tara Singh (2024)

    Stuart T. Hauser Mentorship Award - Dr. Sandra DeJong (2024)

    > Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg, director of the CHA Center for Professional and Academic Development, received the 2024 Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz Humanism in Healthcare Award from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for scholarship, advocacy, and leadership.

    > Valeria Chambers, senior community researcher, and Paul Bradford, peer support specialist, were honored at the Certified Peer Specialist Award Ceremony at the Mass. State House. Valeria received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Paul received the In But Not Of The System Award. 

    > Stefanos Kales, MD, MPH, division chief of occupational medicine, received the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s Excellence in Mentorship Award at the 2024 American Occupational Health Conference.

    > Roopali Bhargava received the Lucille Fusaro Meinsler Program Administrator Award from the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training (AADPRT). This award honors a Program Administrator who has outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills and who demonstrates innovative approaches in managing a psychiatry training program. 

    > Azeesat Babajide, MD, (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) received the 2023 Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership Faculty Fellowship. 

    > Astride Desrosiers, MD, (Psychiatry) medical director of the CHA Haitian Mental Health Program, was honored by the Boston City Council for her longstanding commitment to the Haitian people.

    >Hannah Galvin, MD, CHA's chief medical information officer, was appointed by the Comptroller General of the U.S. to a three-year term on the national Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC).

    > Tiffany Vassell, RN, CHA Cambridge Hospital labor and delivery, was named one of Ten Outstanding Leaders by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for her work in the maternal health space and community advocacy.

    > Neha Sandeep, PA-C, received the 2022 William H. Marquardt Community Health Access Fellowship award by the PA Foundation for her dedication and service to marginalized communities.

    > Sarah Nelson, PhD, director of research at the Division on Addiction, earned a 2022 Scientific Achievement Award from the International Center for Responsible Gaming.

    > Gabriella Iagaru, MD, (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) received the Excellence in Clinical Instruction Faculty Award from the Harvard Medical School Class of 2022.

    > Alec Eidelman, DMD, MPH, (Dentistry) was recognized by the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) as one of the "10 Under Ten" for 2022.

    > Avlot Quessa, senior multicultural affairs director received the Tony Winsor Award for 2022 from UMass Chan Medical School, Commonwealth Medicine, and MassHealth, for his work to improve medical interprting in Massachusetts.

    > Allen Shaughnessy, PharmD, MMedEd, director of master teacher development for the Tufts Family Medicine Residency at CHA received the Lynn and Joan Carmichael STFM Recognition Award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM).

    > CHA PACE's Brenda Lattin received the Phyllis Solomon Champion Award, awarded by MassPACE.

    > Michael James, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, was awarded the annual Leading the Way award from the Center for Collaborative Leadership at the College of Management, University of Massachusetts Boston.

  • Affiliations and Partnerships

    CHA is a leader in providing essential health services to all members of the community and is committed to offering patients the highest quality care and the best possible experience.

    Clinical Care

    CHA is affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), one of the nation's preeminent academic medical centers. Adult patients who need advanced specialty or high acuity hospital care have direct access to the outstanding physicians and facilities of BIDMC. Learn more about BIDMC at www.bidmc.org

    CHA and BIDMC are working together to expand access to care in local communities and offer convenient, high quality services, both in and out of the hospital setting. CHA and BIDMC have implemented a shared medical record that is available to our providers through a secure electronic link. This ability to share information allows both institutions to coordinate care and provide the best treatment for each patient -- letting patients focus on getting well instead of making appointments and repeating tests.

    Children who need advanced specialty care have access to our partners at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children.  

    Academic Affiliations

    CHA a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Tufts University School of Medicine. We are also proud of our teaching partnerships in Nursing, Pharmacy and other fields. 

  • Our Academic Mission

    CHA is an academic health system with outstanding physician-teachers and strong training and research programs. It is the only healthcare system that is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Tufts University School of Medicine.

    CHA offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education efforts. These include the noteworthy Harvard-Cambridge Integrated Clerkship, an alternative experience for third year Harvard Medical students with an innovative “continuity of care” curriculum. CHA also sponsors Harvard affiliated training programs in internal medicine, adult and child psychiatry, psychology and dentistry, the Tufts family medicine residency and a Pharmacy residency program.

  • Mission, Vision and Values

    Mission: To improve the health of our patients and communities.

    Vision: Equity and excellence for everyone, every time.

    Values: To Make a Positive Difference - Community, Integrity, Respect, Compassion, Learning, Excellence (CIRCLE).

    Cambridge Health Alliance prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.

  • Anti-Racism Statement

    At Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), we commit to fostering a culture across our organization that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist for staff and patients and members of the communities we serve. We hold ourselves accountable for doing our part in working to address oppression and advancing equity to overcome the history of systemic racial injustice and violence in healthcare.

    Read our full anti-racist statement: English, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish.

  • Ethics, Principles and Practices
    General Principles

    The best interests of our patients drive our decision-making.

    We are dedicated to the principle that all patients, employees, physicians and visitors will be treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy.

    Honest, open communication characterizes all of our interactions with patients, employees, and the community.

    We honor the diversity of our patients, staff, and community and create a culture in which all feel valued and respected.

    We are committed to using a collaborative decision-making process in resolving difficult patient care issues which involves all appropriate parties.

    We fairly and accurately represent ourselves and our capabilities.

    We provide services to meet the identified needs of our patients and do not provide unnecessary services.

    We continuously improve the quality of our medical care.

    We maintain patient confidentiality.

    We honor our commitments to patients, staff, and the community.

    We hold ourselves to the highest standards in meeting and exceeding all of our professional standards and legal and regulatory obligations.

    We continuously monitor our compliance with this code of ethics and provide training as needed to achieve these goals.

    Ethical Policy Issues and Examples:

    Patient Care Issues

    Treatment decisions are made on a case by case basis. Our care decisions are based on the clinical status of our patients and on patient/family desire.

    We work in partnership with our patients and, if appropriate, with their families. We share information about patient needs and preferences, diagnostic and treatment opportunities, and the risks and alternatives to recommended courses of action. Communication with families is guided by the wishes of our patients.

    When unexpected consequences or errors occur which significantly impact patient well being, it is our duty to inform the patient and/or family of the probable cause.

    We proactively develop systems to maintain patient and other information in a confidential manner, recognizing the special challenges created by the increasing use of electronic methods of storing and sharing information.

    We provide patients and their families with multiple methods to share with us their issues and concerns.

    All members of the health care team have independent duties to be sensitive to a patient's needs and desires and to report their perceptions to the physician in charge. The physician will encourage such communication.

    Workplace Issues

    We openly share information with our staff and keep our promises to our employees.

    We provide a safe workplace free from any form of discrimination or harassment.

    We encourage staff to share any ethical issues that arise for them by providing both confidential and anonymous methods to communicate their concerns.

    We recognize that conflicts will inevitably arise amongst those who participate in hospital and patient care decisions. We seek to resolve all conflicts fairly and objectively.

    Business Practices

    We provide inpatient and outpatient services to persons regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status.

    Decisions to divert or transfer a patient to another facility are made only upon patient request or when the patient's specific disease or condition cannot be safely treated at our facility.

    Discharge decisions are based on the patient's medical condition and readiness for discharge. We work to ensure that patients are treated at the most appropriate level of care.

    We maintain a compliance program designed to establish a culture that promotes prevention, detection and resolution of instances of conduct which do not conform to federal and state law and federal, state, and private health care program requirements.

    We welcome patient or other payer questions about charges. Questions will be discussed and conflicts resolved without real or perceived harassment, using a fair and formal process.

    As part of our process, we will disclose any potential conflicts of interest and take appropriate actions to assure integrity.

    We review all marketing materials to ensure that our organization, services, and policies and procedures are stated to our community and patients accurately, clearly, and in a culturally appropriate manner.

All About CHA

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) is a vibrant, innovative health system dedicated to providing equity and excellence for everyone, every time.

With 150,000 patients in Boston’s metro-north region, we're proud to offer the care people need most in their lives.

Learn more about our services and our work to improve the health of our patients and communities.

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