Dr. Tanveer Khan, director of clinical quality assurance and quality improvement at Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, was presented with the American Heart Association’s Live Fierce Award on Friday at a ceremony held at the Dorchester health clinic.
The award honors those who, like Dr. Khan, help their communities live longer and healthier lives. Dr. Khan’s collaboration with the American Heart Association has been instrumental in raising awareness about hypertension in Greater Boston and providing residents with essential tools and resources for prevention and management.
“Dr. Khan has empowered countless individuals in Boston’s under-resourced neighborhoods to take charge of their health,” said Adriene Worthington, vice president of community impact at the American Heart Association. “Her work has not only improved health outcomes but has also cultivated a sense of empowerment and resilience in the community.”
Under Dr. Khan’s leadership, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center has worked with American Heart Association Community Impact Director Stephanie Voltaire to achieve several key milestones, including distributing blood pressure monitors to patients for at-home tracking. The clinic has also enhanced its food pantry with freezers, refrigeration, and shelving, enabling better access to fresh produce and other healthy foods.
The award ceremony drew representatives from the American Heart Association, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals, the sponsor of the Live Fierce Award.
“Dr. Khan is one of those really smart people who work hard every day and never really expect much in return,” said Charles Murphy, president and CEO of Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center. “I was thrilled when I learned that the American Heart Association had selected Tanveer for this honor. She does so much for our community, and she is so deserving of this honor.”
In addition to Worthington and Murphy, speakers included David Coggins, CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals; Teresa Hayes, senior director of business development at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Braintree; and Rachel Adjemian, associate vice president of development at the American Heart Association.
After the ceremony, Dr. Khan reflected on her work and the partnership between the two organizations.
“Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center and the American Heart Association are two sides of the same coin,” she said. “Both organizations are dedicated to helping underserved communities—those who lack representation and struggle to navigate the healthcare system. We are united in our aim to support and uplift these individuals.”
The Live Fierce Award underscores Dr. Khan’s dedication to fostering health equity and creating a healthier, more resilient Boston.