David Bergeron is a CHW and social entrepreneur. He has over 25 years experience in establishing innovative state public health policy and systems redesigns.
Working closely with Senator Edward Kennedy, he was co-founder of the pilot that promoted Massachusetts health care reform in the mid-1990s, Fishing Partnership Health Plan, where he also developed and headed the project’s community health worker (CHW) program for more than 15 years. A study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and conducted by Boston University researchers assessed the “feasibility of implementing a similar model with other populations” and statewide reform followed in 2006 (http://www.hcfo.org/grants/fishing-partnership-health-plan-model-reducing-numbers-working-uninsuredOpens in a new window). Project CHWs also promoted community participation in research and other health and occupational safety strategies. As such he has convened numerous interdisciplinary collaborative research teams with community members and partners at Health Care for All, Harvard University, Boston University, MIT, University of Massachusetts, University of New Hampshire, University of Maine, and others.
Mr. Bergeron’s accomplishments have been recognized by citations of the Massachusetts Senate and community organizations. Moreover, he is a member of a family affected by hearing loss. He has worked with his wife Judi to develop a community health worker model in hearing health care. Educated in music Mr. Bergeron studied in the United States and abroad. He remains active in music. And his musical experience is well matched to appreciating the social and scientific aspects of sound and hearing. He is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers.