The Fenway Health Board of Directors announced today that it has hired its Chief Operating Officer Jordina Shanks as Fenway Health’s Interim CEO when Manny Lopes steps down from the role on March 15, 2024.
Shanks is a healthcare expert with over 30 years’ experience in a variety of settings in the Greater Boston area. She has a proven record of improving profitability, safety and quality, and patient, provider, and staff satisfaction. Since joining Fenway Health in 2021, she has employed a data-driven approach to assess and respond to issues and concerns, encouraged innovative, staff-driven solutions, and held racial and health equity at the center of all business decisions. Prior to joining Fenway Health, Shanks served as Chief Operating Officer at Mattapan Community Health Center and at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.
“The Board has every confidence in Jordina’s ability to lead Fenway Health as the search for a permanent CEO continues, and making this decision in advance of Manny’s departure ensures a seamless leadership transition,” said Fenway Health Board Chair Scott Walker. “Since joining Fenway Health in 2021, Jordina has expertly overseen operations across clinical and non-clinical areas. She’s directed the implementation of a patient-centered, team-based care model at Fenway Health. She has also led efforts that have improved access to care for our patients and clients and is executing strategies to improve the financial performance of the organization.”
Shanks will assume the leadership of Fenway Health until a permanent CEO is hired.
“I’m inspired every day by the incredible skill and passion that Fenway clinicians and staff in our health centers and public health clinics bring to their work when caring for our patients and clients. I’m equally inspired by the scientists, researchers, and educators who are bringing new knowledge to the fields of gender affirming care, HIV treatment and prevention, and health equity,” Shanks said. “I’m incredibly honored to be called to lead and serve Fenway Health in this capacity. We have made much progress coming out of the pandemic and it’s imperative that we continue to build on that momentum as we look to the future in service to LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, people living with HIV, and other underserved communities.”
The Board also announced that it has hired Liliana Silva to serve as Fenway Health’s Interim Chief Operating Officer. Silva served for many years as Vice President, Patient Access at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and now works as a leadership consultant for health care organizations. She has over 25 years’ experience designing and delivering health care services to historically marginalized communities and is a highly accomplished bilingual/bicultural leader. Silva will start at Fenway Health on March 4.