Ernest A. Balasco, MSW
Ernest A. Balasco was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Thundermist Health Center in January 2006. Prior to his appointment at Thundermist, he was executive director of Wood River Health Services for ten years. During his tenure, Wood River became JCAHO accredited, dental services were expanded, including an outreach program to the schools, and an on-site behavioral health program was implemented.
Ernest was a member of the Board for Neighborhood Health Plan (NHPRI) of Rhode Island, a Medicaid HMO, for ten years, having served on all major committees. He served as chair of the HMO for three years; during the last seven months of his tenure as chair, he also served as interim CEO during a permanent CEO search.
He remains an active Board member with the Rhode Island Health Center Association, where he served as Chair for two terms. He is a member of the executive committee, serves as chair of its negotiating committee, and participates in numerous other committee assignments.
Other relevant work experience includes nine years at St. Joseph Hospital, as director of Social Services, where he developed numerous out-patient educational and treatment programs. While at St. Joseph’s, he also served as administrative director of the Center for Health and Human Services, an inner city health center operated by the hospital.
Mr. Balasco has over thirty years experience in social services and health care settings; he received his MSW from Rhode Island College in 1981.
“At Thundermist, we use health care as a galvanizing point for the community. Access to health care is vital to the well being of both individuals and our communities.”
- Maria Montanaro, MSW, Thundermist President/CEO