Wiltz receives lifetime achievement award

The nation’s top community health center advocate honored Franklin’s own Dr. Gary M Wiltz, M.D., for lifetime achievement, at their 2022 Community Health Institute Expo on Sunday.

The National Association of Community Health Centers, (NACHC), the umbrella advocate of more than 13,000 community health centers nationwide, honored Wiltz, who is the CEO of Teche Action Clinics, based here in Franklin.

“The Bible says it’s better to serve than to be served,” Wiltz said.

“I am very blessed to have had the opportunity of a great organization that has allowed me to do the work of the Lord. I was truly honored and humbled to receive the award. It is validation of my life’s work.”

“And p.s. - I’m not done yet.”

Teche is the state’s first Community Health Center, having opened its doors here in the summer of 1974.

Coincidentally, Wiltz celebrated 40 years of service to Teche Action Clinic on July 12. Under his leadership, the operation has grown to 15 clinics in six
parishes, with a few more in the works.

In St. Mary Parish, the clinic’s main site is in Franklin, and there is another in Morgan City, along with a school based clinic at West St Mary/B. Edward Boudreaux, and at Raintree Elementary.

A native of New Orleans, Wiltz came to Teche Action Clinic in 1982 after graduating from Tulane University School of Medicine, as part of a National Health Service Corps obligation that required service to a medically underserved area.

“This forever changed the trajectory of my life. What was supposed to be three years turned into 40.”

Wiltz was feted in Chicago on Sunday, along with 14 other members of the community health center movement, from across the United States.

He was credited with the ability to: learn from history and from others; to foster intentional, inclusive innovation; to be able to collaborate widely and build relationships; to engage those who are most impacted; to inspire and be inspired by others; to adapt as there is often a no “one size fits all” solution; to measure progress by evaluating data, insights and stories; to educate and disseminate for broad impact.

Leroy Willis, president of the Teche Action Board, said the local health leaders could not be more proud of Wiltz.

“Dr Wiltz’s dedication to the field of medicine is an incredible lifetime achievement, one that the Teche Board of Directors is very proud of,” Willis said.

“Frankly, we’re proud of his accomplishments locally, statewide and nationally, as well as other interests that he encounters.”
Wiltz also served NACHC as their chair-elect, chairman and immediate past chairman. To thank him for his service from 2013 to 2015, the organization feted him with a twice life size bronze bust of Senator Ted Kennedy, commissioned by sculptor Michael Alfano of Massachusetts.

“The good folks at NACHC knew of my love for the Kennedys especially Ted, who was the champion fighter for health care.”

He said one of his favorite Kennedy quotes is, “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

But in 2018, NACHC officials honored Wiltz with its 2018 John Gilbert Award, which recognizes people who have demonstrated a high level of excellence in the community health care field.

The Daughters of Charity Health Services also honored Wiltz in 2018, with their 2018 Inspired Cross Award.

“He has worked tirelessly to provide the highest quality of care to all Louisianians, regardless of their ability to pay, and his commitment is laudable,” said Michael G. Griffin, president and CEO of Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans.

Wiltz also recently ended a stint as a member of the Board of Trustees of A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine, in Mesa, Arizona, where he also served as president of the board.

The school sends interns to Teche Action Clinic each semester to gain on-the-job training.