Over 150 guests joined the staff and board of Thundermist at it's flagship facility, 450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, in November to mark the occasion of Thundermist's 40th Anniversary. RI State Senator Rhoda Perry was presented with the Francisco Cannistra, MD, Memorial Award for her work in advancing health care in Rhode Island.  Fifteen community partners were also recognized for helping Thundermist fulfill its mission of providing care to those in need.  

Maria Montanaro, CEO of Thundermist described the evening as, "a blend of people from Thundermist's past, as well as current partners, which created a lovely 40th celebration."

Mrs. Mary Cannistra, widow of Dr. Cannistra, presented the award to Senator Perry for the work she has done in the state legislature, as well as for her 18 years as the former Executive Director of Thundermist.

The evening was capped off with a  video commemorating Thundermist's 40 years of service in the community. 

Congressman Obey praises Thundermist
11-15-2009
JIM BARON

WOONSOCKET — After a tour of Thundermist Health Center guided by President Maria Montanaro, Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee praised it as an “especially innovative” facility.

“It provides, I think, much more personalized and respectful opportunities for care that you often get in health facilities,” Obey told reporters before he and his host, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, went into a closed-door meeting with Thundermist executives. “Community health centers are going to play a crucial role in the delivery of health care services around the country in the next decade. They are going to play an ever-expanding role.”

Kennedy said he wanted to show Obey, who represents a district in Wisconsin, the Thundermist facility because the chairman has been helpful in recent years in funding many of the center’s programs and initiatives.

Thundermist, Kennedy said, “is a model for excellence in health care sectors and community health that we have in the country,” and “David Obey as chairman of the appropriations committee has been a leader in funding these community health centers nationally. “Why we have good places such as this is that we have invested in being a leader in technology and best practices and if we do that, we will maintain our employment base.

“Health care is a leading employer in our state and we need to build it for the future and why we have good places like this is that we have invested in being a leader in technology and best practices and if we do that, we will maintain our employment base.

Montanaro said Thundermist employs 228 people and is in the process of expanding its facility in West Warwick. She said it expects to add 100 employees there over the next three years.

“What is really crucial to understand is that we have a health care bill kicking around in Congress that’s going to vastly expand the services of community health centers,” the 1st District Congressman said…..

….Montanaro said Kennedy’s support “has been absolutely invaluable, both in championing issue for health centers nationwide and our health center specifically, bringing earmarked appropriations for Thundermist for expansion in areas where the normal course of funding won’t cover.”