The Dimock Center President & CEO honored for a distinguished legal career that included her selection as the first female African-American partner with a major Boston law firm.

The Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA) recognized The Dimock Center’s President and CEO, Ruth Ellen Fitch, as one of its 2010 Trailblazer Award recipients at the Association’s annual gala on Thursday, April 22nd.

The Trailblazer Award specifically recognizes individuals whose careers included groundbreaking accomplishments that established positive examples for other African-American lawyers and professionals.

“In addition to a stellar legal career, Ruth Ellen Fitch’s selection as a partner with Palmer and Dodge set an example that helped blaze a path for other African-American attorneys to follow,” said Douglas Martin, President of the MBLA.  “Her work and the contributions of our other trailblazers helped to create professional opportunities for countless others.”

Past recipients of the Trailblazer Award include, Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts’s first African-American governor, and the Honorable Joyce London Alexander, the first African-American Chief United States Magistrate Judge in the Nation and the first African-American Chief Judge in Massachusetts.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of The Dimock Center, Ms. Fitch has returned to the Roxbury neighborhood where she was raised, bringing her significant experience managing complex organizations to Dimock, as well as her commitment to helping others overcome social and economic obstacles so they may achieve in life. 

Leaders from state interagency councils join in visit that included conversations with patients, clients and frontline staff 

Roxbury, MA – Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray visited the historic campus of The Dimock Center for a tour that included Dimock’s Health Center, the Mary Eliza Mahoney House family shelter, Dimock’s Acute Treatment Services program, which houses a 30-bed inpatient detox program, and the John Flowers Recovery Home, a halfway house for men recovering from substance abuse. 

Ruth Ellen Fitch, The Dimock Center’s President and CEO (pictured at left), and Ruth Kelley, Dimock’s Chief Behavioral Health Officer (pictured at right), led the tour, introducing the Lieutenant Governor to staff, patients and clients.   

“I appreciated the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with patients, clients, and staff during my visit to The Dimock Center,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.  “As we manage through these challenging economic times, strengthening our partnership with organizations like The Dimock Center is even more imperative to ensure we address the needs of the community.” 

“We were honored to have the Lieutenant Governor visit Dimock and appreciate his obvious interest in the well-being of some of society’s neediest, the homeless and those struggling to recover from addiction,” said Ruth Ellen Fitch.  “Support and coordination with the State is critical to our ability to provide quality care and innovative programs like the John Flowers Recovery Home, which offers hope and healing.” 

In addition to the Lieutenant Governor, senior leaders from several state agencies toured The Dimock Center, including; Michael Botticelli, the Director of the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, William Luzier, the Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention, Elizabeth Curtis, the Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness and Mayra Morales, the Boston Regional Director for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.  

About the Dimock CenterThe Dimock Center was founded in 1862 as the New England Hospital for Women and Children and is now nationally recognized as a model for the integrated delivery of comprehensive health care and human services in an urban community. In 2009, The Dimock Center’s physicians and staff handled over 73,000 patient and client visits, providing Boston City residents and families access to high-quality health care and human services they might not be able to receive elsewhere.  The center’s programs cover a range of services that include adult & pediatric medicine, eye & dental care, HIV/AIDS services, child & family development support programs, behavioral health and addiction recovery services and adult basic education. 

Community advocate and the Program Manager for The Asia Academy at Dimock recognized for his commitment to the community and service to others 

ROXBURY, MA – Barry Butler, the Program Manager of Askia Academy at Dimock, will receive the 12th Annual Stanley Jones Clean Slate Project Courage Award for his tireless work and commitment to helping others on March 17, 2010 at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, First Church at 10 Putnam St. in Roxbury at 7:00 p.m.  

Butler originally came to the Askia Academy at Dimock, then the First Askia Academy, thirteen years ago seeking help with his own struggle with addiction.  During the process of recovery, Butler discovered his desire to help others lead more fulfilling lives, motivating him to complete the training and education necessary to become a primary counselor with First Askia Academy in 1998 and eventually the program’s director in 2004. 

“I have always had a love for people, even through all my shortcomings in life,” Butler said. Reflecting back on his experience Butler said, “I truly believe I have been saved to serve others.” 

In addition to his work helping those with addiction, Butler has remained a steadfast advocate for people working to restore their lives following incarceration.  This includes ongoing work to establish sensible CORI reform on Beacon Hill and policy work with the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery. 

“We are honored to have Barry as a member of the Dimock team,” said Ruth Kelley, Dimock’s Chief Behavioral Health Officer.  “He has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of men through his work at Askia and benefited thousands more through his advocacy.”  “The Courage Award represents well-deserved recognition for Barry’s commitment to those in recovery and the community-at-large,” continued Kelley. 

The Askia Academy at Dimock offers addiction recovery support for men and focuses on addressing health care disparities, relapse prevention, employment preparation and the rebuilding of family relationships.

New physician adds to the growing number of Spanish-speaking physicians and staff now available to provide primary care, eye care and dental care 

ROXBURY, MA – The Dimock Center’s Pediatric Clinic is pleased to welcome Estella Escobar, M.D. to the team.  Dr. Escobar is fluent in both Spanish and English and welcomes the opportunity to work with The Dimock Center’s Spanish-speaking patients and their families.  

A native of Colombia, Dr. Escobar received her M.D. from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia.  She completed her residency in pediatrics with the Miami Children’s Hospital and most recently was a fellow with the Boston University Medical Center, specializing in pediatric infectious diseases. 

“Interacting with children and caring for their health makes every day such a rewarding experience for me,” explains Escobar.  “I first came to know The Dimock Center and its great staff as a clinical observer, while preparing for my pediatric residency, and now, I am excited to join this wonderful team.” 

“Having a bilingual physician join our clinic represents a terrific resource to both our patients and our staff,” notes Dimock’s Director of Pediatrics, Dr. Nandini Sengupta.  “Dr. Escobar’s ability to communicate in Spanish helps patients feel comfortable and welcomed, while contributing to improved quality of care.” 

Dr. Escobar is accepting new patients and practices at The Clinic on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., as well as every other Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  For appointments call Hilda Terrero at 617-442-8800, ext 1260.             

About the Dimock Center
The Dimock Center was founded in 1862 as the New England Hospital for Women and Children and is now nationally recognized as a model for the integrated delivery of comprehensive health care and human services in an urban community. The health center alone handles over 51,000 patient visits annually, providing city residents and families access to high-quality health care and human services they would not be able to receive elsewhere.  The center’s programs cover a range of services that include adult & pediatric medicine, eye & dental care, HIV/AIDS services, child & family development support program, behavioral health and addiction recovery services and adult basic education.