The National Association of Community Health Centers has selected Dr. Kendra Holmes for its 2024 Elizabeth K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award.

Dr. Holmes is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Affinia Healthcare, a federally qualified health center serving the St. Louis metropolitan area.

The NACHC Elizabeth K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award is named in honor of the late Elizabeth K. (Betsey) Cooke whose constant effort and unflagging persistence as an advocate for America’s health centers and patients set an example for all health center advocates to follow. Recipients are selected based on their leadership and tireless dedication to advocating on behalf of more than 31.5 million health center patients nationwide.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this honor from the NACHC,” said Dr. Holmes. “I am also honored to lead our extraordinary team of committed, dedicated and compassionate healthcare professionals who make this kind of recognition possible. It confirms that our commitment to provide high quality healthcare to all is the right and moral thing to do.”

Dr. Holmes joined Affinia Healthcare as a staff pharmacist in 2003. She advanced in the organization serving in a variety of leadership roles and was selected as Affinia Healthcare President and CEO in 2023, the first African-American and woman for this position. She earned her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis (formerly St. Louis College of Pharmacy). As COO, Dr. Holmes led the process leading Affinia Healthcare to earn national accreditation from the Joint Commission in 2022. Under her leadership, Affinia Healthcare has received several honors including the Generate Health Dr. Corinne Walentik Provider/Practitioner Champion Award, St. Louis Business Journal Diversity Champion Award, Williams & Associates Unapologetic Award, and Missouri Primary Care Association Platinum Quality Award. Affinia Healthcare has also received honors as a National Committee for Quality Assistance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home, and HRSA Badges of Excellence for Quality, and Addressing Social Risk Factors.

“Dr. Holmes’ commitment to healthcare access for the most vulnerable in our community is the reason why Affinia Healthcare is able to make a difference in the lives of so many,” said Kimball McMullin, Chair for the Affinia Healthcare Board of Directors. “On behalf of our board of directors, we thank Dr. Holmes for her leadership and commitment to healthcare access and equity and congratulate her on this worthy honor.”

Dr. Holmes will be recognized by NACHC at the Healthcare Leadership Reception & Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, February 14 in Washington, D.C.