Mildred Casiano MSW, LCSW-R, MPH, director of behavioral health at Union Community Health Center (UCHC), located in the Fordham Heights neighborhood, was honored as a 2021 Woman of Distinction by State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) during a ceremony held at the center, on Oct. 22.

 

During her acceptance speech, Casiano thanked Douglas York Ph.D., CEO of UCHC, her behavior health team, and the entire UCSC family along with friends and family who came out to support her on the day. She said she felt “overwhelmed and overjoyed” but overall, “truly blessed,” by the honor.

 

“I would like to thank my family and friends,” she said. “Without their support, this award would not be possible. To my patients, I say, ‘Thank you for trusting us and for [your] bravery and commitment to your mental health.’ We will continue to work together to humanize and normalize the conversation surrounding mental health because talking about mental health saves lives,” she added.

 

The ceremony also featured speeches by Rivera and York. For his part, York said community health centers and professionals like Casiano brought vital health care services directly to thousands of Bronx residents. “We are proud to celebrate her as our goal has simply been to help eliminate some of the existing barriers to accessing care,” he said.

 

Rivera explained that Women of Distinction were usually honored with a ceremony in Albany but because of the pandemic, the UCHC center was instead chosen as the venue for the event, during which a video outlining Casiano’s accomplishments was played.

 

 

Rivera added that his office normally maintains a list of organizations and people doing important work in the district as a reference when compiling both the Women of Distinction and the Veterans Hall of Fame awards. He said they wanted to present the award, this year, to someone who had been doing important work throughout the pandemic.

 

The senator said that UCHC was key to providing care to what he described as a very, very high-needs population in his district (S.D. 33). “So, when I think about Ms. Casiano’s work around behavioral health, how essential that is with communities like this one, and the fact that this institution provides that, I’m always happy to come here, and happier still to be able to celebrate somebody who does such good work,” Rivera said.

 

The senator explained to those present that federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) like UCHC were places around the country where most working-class people obtained their primary care. “They are so deeply committed to the community so I’m always happy to be able to honor anybody who works for them, and Ms Cassiano was just the person,” he said.

 

Casiano grew up in the South Bronx and focused her career on public health in the neighborhoods in which she grew up. From an early age, she said she knew she wanted to dedicate her career to helping the most vulnerable and underprivileged communities.

 

“I’ve been serving community health for over 30 years; that’s been my passion,” she told the Norwood News. “I’ve had a lot of mentors that have guided me through the whole process, so growing up in the same communities that were at a disadvantage, it’s just a great honor to have this opportunity because I think we all work very hard for a common goal. This is the common goal, to help others.”

 

During her acceptance speech, Casiano also talked about the negative stigma associated with mental health care and her wish to make mental health care as much of a priority as physical health care. “I think it’s important for all of us to continue talking about mental health and normalizing it, just like we’ve done with every other disease and feel that level of comfort when you come and see your provider,” she said.

 

Every year, the New York State Senate Women of Distinction awards are presented by the respective state senator to a woman in each senatorial district who serves her community.

 

UCHC is a not-for-profit FQHC that serves Bronxites from six locations throughout the borough. Officials said its mission is to serve the community with the best health care possible, regardless of ability to pay, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion.