Blog 2/26/26

Equitas Health Leader Appointed to National Role Focused on LGBTQ+ Health

COLUMBUS, OH – The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) represents over 17,000 community health centers sites across the country. NACHC also hosts various member engagement groups — including committees, subcommittees, and task forces — that support the organization’s Board of Directors and inform the work happening both at NACHC and nationally.

This year, NACHC is launching a new, permanent group focused on LGBTQ+ health, and Dr. Rhea Debussy (she/her), Director of External Affairs at Equitas Health, has been appointed to this inaugural committee for a two-year term. Dr. Debussy will serve in a group of 20 community health center leaders, and notably, she is one of only two representatives from the Midwest.

NACHC’s member engagement groups identify high priority topics, conduct detailed deliberation on priorities, and make recommendations for initiatives and strategies for community health centers across the country. This new, permanent group, focused on LGBTQ+ health, is charged with:

• Making actionable recommendations to support LGBTQ+ health through the innovation tools of science, education, practice, and policy;
• Providing LGBTQ+ focused recommendations that advance the work of NACHC centers of excellence;
• Recommending strategies and initiatives to address physical, mental, oral, vision, and other health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ people; and more.

In fall 2025, Equitas Health was recognized with a prestigious national advocacy designation from NACHC, and nationally, fewer than 100 community health centers have achieved the elusive “Gold” status designation.  Building upon that achievement, Dr. Debussy’s appointment to the inaugural committee further underscores Equitas Health’s continued commitment to LGBTQ+ health and nationally recognized leadership in advancing access to care, regardless of identity.

Celebrating this national appointment, David Ernesto Munar (he/him), CEO and President of Equitas Health said, “Dr. Debussy’s appointment to this influential committee will help make affirming healthcare more accessible not just for Equitas Health patients, but for LGBTQ+ community members across the country. As Dr. Debussy embarks on her two-year term, we look forward to frank and robust discussion that ultimately improves standards of care for LGBTQ+ patients at all community health centers.”

Regarding the organization’s continued leadership across community health centers, Anthony Clemente (he/him), Vice President of Advancement & Communications, said, “Community health centers like Equitas Health are among the fiercest advocates for the patients we serve, and for good reason. We recognize our role as the nation’s healthcare safety net. We advance a range of public policy priorities to protect and expand care. Dr. Debussy’s appointment, as well as our recent Gold advocacy designation, are clear signs that Equitas Health is committed to this work and has no plans of stopping.”

Reflecting forthcoming work with NACHC, Rhea Debussy, PhD (she/her), Director of External Affairs at Equitas Health said, “With ongoing threats to defund HIV-focused programs and continued attacks on gender affirming care, I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent the agency and our clients in this national leadership role. Working alongside colleagues from across the country, I look forward to advancing access to care and reducing health disparities for LGBTQ+ people in Ohio and beyond.” 

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