Petrina Martin Cherry is a seasoned health equity professional and the Vice President of Community Engagement & External Affairs at Boston Medical Center Health System, leading strategic initiatives aimed at advancing healthcare equity, economic mobility, workforce development in healthcare and the life sciences, and addressing social determinants of health. Known for her expertise in building strong, collaborative relationships, Petrina has been instrumental in developing community-based programs that provide access to healthcare to under-resourced communities, raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease, support BMC’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, promote mental health and wellness, women’s health, reduce recidivism, and foster sustainable empowerment in historically underserved communities.

Petrina was appointed by Mayor Walsh in 2020 to the City of Boston’s COVID-19 Health Inequities Task Force and by Governor Maura Healey to the Council on Black Empowerment and Mass Cultural Governing Council and serves on the board of directors of The Boston Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club of Boston, Boston Arts Academy, The Urban League of Eastern MA (Emeritus), and the Advisory Board of the American Hospital Association. TBC’s Leader of Change Award is one of many prestigious awards achived, including The Disparities Solutions Center of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Disparities Leadership Program Award, The Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us Award, The American Hospital Association Foster G. McGraw Prize, and The Leadership Brainery’s Change Can’t Wait Medal of Equity Award.