The Connecticut Health Foundation, the state's largest independent health philanthropy dedicated to improving health outcomes for people of color, has named United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson as chair of its board of directors.
Thompson succeeds Chekesha Kidd and has served on the board since 2020. The foundation named Hector Glynn as vice chair, elected Moy Ogilvie to the board, and awarded $937,200 in grants during the second quarter of 2026.
Thompson is a United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut, appointed by President Clinton in 1994, and previously served as the board's vice chair. Glynn is president and CEO of The Village for Families and Children, and Ogilvie is a partner at McCarter & English.
In accepting the role, Thompson said, "Martin Luther King, Jr. said, 'Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.' So, I find it very satisfying to support the efforts of the Connecticut Health Foundation as it seeks to make our state a place where everyone can achieve optimal health, regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status."
"I am honored to join the board of the Connecticut Health Foundation and I fully support the organization's mission of championing health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Connecticut," Ogilvie said. "I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated team at Connecticut Health Foundation."
Among the grants, Hearst Connecticut Media received $180,000 over three years to fund a full-time health access reporter for CT Insider covering barriers to affordable care. The Hospital of Central Connecticut received $75,000 to build a community health worker (CHW) and social worker pilot program in New Britain.
Foundation President and CEO Tiffany Donelson also welcomed the new board members. Donelson said, "We are thrilled to have Moy join the board of directors. We look forward to the experience and perspective she will bring to the foundation. We are also excited for Alvin and Hector to step into their new roles and continue to make an impact on our organization. We are deeply grateful to Chekesha for her leadership and commitment to our mission and her lasting impact on the foundation."
The grants extend the foundation's mission to improve health equity statewide.
