Organizational History

Naheed Asar talks to a woman at a table

Asian Women for Health (AWFH) was founded in 2013 by Chien-Chi Huang, a visionary Chinese American woman. As the founding Executive Director, Chien-Chi dedicated a decade to advancing health equity for Asian women and underrepresented communities and raising awareness of breast cancer and other diseases endemic to Asian communities. Since its inception, AWFH has positively impacted the lives of over 10,000 individuals by educating them about medical issues specific to Asian populations, advocating for equitable healthcare practices, and fostering opportunities for community members to become advocates themselves. Through this empowerment, AWFH builds strength and confidence in Asian communities, inspiring them to champion health equity.

Over the years, AWFH has expanded its mission beyond cancer awareness to addressing systemic, cultural, and linguistic barriers in accessing healthcare. Today, the organization bridges gaps between Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and healthcare services, ensuring a more inclusive approach to health equity.

Leadership and Transition

In early 2023, Chien-Chi retired, and the Board of Directors appointed Eric Braun as Interim Executive Director to guide the organization through this pivotal transition. Eric, a serial entrepreneur and founder of two nonprofit initiatives, brought a wealth of leadership experience to AWFH. Under his guidance, AWFH launched the Community Health Impact Program, a groundbreaking initiative that trains underrepresented individuals as Community Health Workers (CHWs) to address health inequities.

Later in 2023, the Board welcomed Naheed Esar as the new Executive Director to further AWFH’s mission and vision. With this leadership team, AWFH is poised for growth and greater community impact.

Recognition

Asian Women for Health has received recognition from many organizations for its work. This recognition includes current grants from the following organizations:

  • Commonwealth Corporation
  • Health Resources in Action (HRiA)
  • Health Care for All Massachusetts (HCFA)
  • Women’s Foundation of Boston
  • Asian Health Coalition
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
  • Lenny Zakim Foundation
  • The Quin House Impact Fund
  • Boston Women’s Fund
  • Biogen Foundation
  • Sanofi
  • The Asian Community Fund of the Boston Foundation

Other organizations recognizing AWFH include:

  • 2024 Promotional Excellence Award from the Asian Health Coalition
  • 2022 Purpose Prize Award from AARP
  • 2022 Community Service Award from Chinese Culture Connection
  • 2022 Lemuel Shattuck Award from Massachusetts Public Health Association
  • 2022 Advancement Award from the Boston Club
  • 2021 Bridge Award for Leadership in Cancer & Mental Health Equity from the MGH Cancer Center