“Access to healthcare may seem like a policy issue, but it’s deeply personal. To one person, a blood pressure prescription means avoiding a hospital visit. To another, an inhaler means being able to walk to the park with a grandchild.”
— Melissa Garber Rosso, MD
Board Member
Why did you feel compelled to join this foundation’s board? I joined the board to turn concern into action. As a family medicine physician and public health advocate, I see every day how structural barriers impact people’s lives. Serving on this foundation’s board allows me to carry that forward—advocating for change, building bridges, and serving beyond the exam room.
What do you see as the biggest challenge or opportunity for healthcare in Manhattan today? Visibility and access are our biggest challenges. Manhattan is a generous and resourceful community—but if people don’t know what programs exist, or can’t physically access them, we miss the mark. We have an opportunity to broaden our outreach, bring services closer to the people who need them, and integrate care with compassion and cultural understanding.
When you envision the future, what role does this foundation play? I envision a future where no one is left behind and where healthcare reflects the dignity of every person it serves. My hope is that we continue to be both a platform for voices often unheard and a launchpad for sustainable, community-driven health solutions.