PROVIDENCE — Janine Petracca Fonseca of East Bay Community Action Program will be among eight health center employees honored tonight at the Rhode Island Health Center Association’s annual Beacon Awards ceremony at Roger Williams Park Casino.
Petracca Fonseca, assistant program manager for behavioral health at EBCAP’s Integrated Health Home program, will be recognized for her exceptional leadership during a challenging staffing shortage that lasted a year and a half.
According to her nomination, Petracca Fonseca served as both hospital liaison and interim manager while continuing her regular duties, working with the organization’s most acute mentally ill population. Despite the demanding workload and long hours, she maintained a positive attitude and kept her team together during what was described as “the toughest of times.”
“Not only did she continue to provide excellent care to our clients, she held her team together and was a consummate leader,” her nomination stated.
Petracca Fonseca has worked with EBCAP’s behavioral health team for six years. The Integrated Health Home program provides coordinated care for patients with serious mental illness.
The Beacon Awards, held during National Health Center Week, honor employees from Rhode Island’s eight community health centers who exemplify the health center mission of providing quality healthcare regardless of patients’ ability to pay. Community health centers serve more than 210,000 Rhode Islanders.
Other 2025 award recipients include employees from Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, Comprehensive Community Action Program, Providence Community Health Centers, Thundermist Health Center, Tri-County Community Action Agency, Wood River Health and WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care.
Tonight’s 5:30 p.m. ceremony will feature remarks from members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation, including Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Representative Gabe Amo and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.
Elena Nicolella, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Center Association, said the awards celebrate “the people who bring health care to life in our communities.”
The invitation-only event is expected to draw approximately 70 attendees, including health center leaders, award recipients and their families.