October 5, 2022
A vision of health
Around Town The Community News receives statewide awards. Pg. 2
Citizens for Modern Transit honors ‘champions of transit’. Pg. 3 Oct. 15: MDC hosts DNS Nature Unleashed teacher workshop. Pg. 4 Robertson Fire Protection District reduces residential tax rate. Pg. 5
Feature Section COME ON OUT TO THIS WEEKEND’S FESTIVAL!
Submitted photo Dr. Kendra Holmes (second from left), who has been with Affinia Healthcare for nearly 20 years, is currently the executive vice president and chief operating officer, and will step into the top role of CEO in January.
New CEO of Affinia Healthcare looks to continue to bring quality healthcare to socioeconomically vulnerable communities By Wendy Todd Affinia Healthcare provides critical medical and dental services at 11 locations across St. Louis to socioeconomically vulnerable communities. At the start of the new year, the organization will have a new CEO. Dr. Kendra Holmes, who has been with the organization for nearly 20 years, is currently the executive vice president and chief operating officer, and will step into the top role in January. Holmes began her career at Affinia Healthcare in 2003 as a pharmacist, a profession she began considering in high school.
“I have always been fascinated by science and chemistry,” Holmes said. “I toured St. Louis College of Pharmacy as a senior at Metro High School and fell in love with the pharmacy profession.” In just two years, she was promoted to Director of Pharmacy Services, leading the operations of the pharmacies. Though Holmes, who received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Health Services in St. Louis, continued to climb the corporate ladder at Affinia Healthcare, that wasn’t her initial ambition. Her primary goal was to serve patients. “My true passion is patient care,” she said.
“I enjoy assisting patients with their medication needs and questions. I transitioned to administration when I realized I had the ability to make a larger impact on underserved communities in a leadership position.” In serving patients’ needs, Holmes is aware of the range of health issues underserved communities often suffer including maternal and infant mortality rates. “Maternal and infant mortality for black mothers and babies is appalling,” Holmes said. “Black babies are three times as likely See ‘VISION’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 101 No. 40 | 636-379-1775
Oct. 9: Florissant Fall Festival. Pgs. 6-7
Features (FLIP) CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-1 /F-2
Weather FRIDAY Partly Cloudy 60/36 SATURDAY Sunny 61/38 SUNDAY Sunny 70/50