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| Paul Ramos (1941-2000) |
Who was he?
Was a staunch advocate of affordable health care and social justice. As founder and Executive Director of Betances Health Center, Paul worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of the Lower East Side - and beyond - to meet the desperate need for accessible quality health care and social services. Paul founded Betances in 1970, and initially ran the agency out of a makeshift office above a pickle factory, delivering health services from a mobile medical unit. Largely through Paul's determination and hard work, Betances found a permanent home on Henry Street in the Lower East Side, one of New York City's most diverse immigrant communities, where it has become one of the leading comprehensive primary care facilities serving poor and low income community members. Paul guided Betances' accomplishments and status as an early provider of "culturally competent, holistic" care long before the terms became buzzwords over the center's four decade history. Over the center's three decade history, many came to see Paul as a modern day incarnation of the agency's namesake, Ramon Emeterio Betances, a 19th century Puerto Rican physician and poet known as the "Father of the Poor", who received a medical degree in Europe and then returned to Puerto Rico to found a hospital, defend the island against a cholera epidemic, and fight against slavery. |
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Visit Us:
| 280 Henry Street |
| New York, NY 10002 |
| Tel: 212-227-8401 |
| Fax: 212-227-8842 |
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Anthony Vera
Anthony Vera, before obtaining his current position as Director of Planning and Development, held the positions of Director of HIV and Harm Reduction Services, as Director of Behavioral Health, all at Betances Health Center. Prior to coming to Betances, Mr. Vera was the Executive Director of Unitas Therapeutic Community in the Bronx from 1990-1998. Before that, he was the Executive Director of the Home Care Council of New York City from 1988-1990, after serving 13 years in the position of Executive Director for the American Lung Association of Brooklyn. Mr. Vera was an adjunct faculty member at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service from 1990-2001. Trained as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mr. Vera is currently responsible for general oversight of all contracting and grant development functions within Betances’ medical and behavioral health service units. He acts as the lead writer in the preparation of proposals for primary care services, capital needs, and other development needs as well as conceptualizes, plans, and implements fund raising projects. Mr. Vera attended Long Island University and graduated with a BA in 1967. He obtained his Master of Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work in 1974. |
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Anthony Vera
Director of Planning and Development |
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