Family Health Centers of Baltimore Announces Inaugural Dr. Lewis H. Richardson, Jr. Community Fellowship Award to Honor Dr. Cyrus J. Lawyer, III

Family Health Centers of Baltimore (FHCB) presents the inaugural Dr. Lewis H. Richardson, JR., Community Fellowship Award to honor Cyrus J. Lawyer, III, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG, for “outstanding contributions in shaping the health and wellness of thousands of infants and children in Baltimore,” said Paula B. McLellan, CEO for Family Health.

With a medical background spanning five decades, Dr. Lawyer currently serves as Medical Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology, for the Family Health Centers of Baltimore, Inc.

To be held Friday, May 29th, 6-9 p.m. in the Constellation Room of Baltimore’s World Trade Center, the event will raise funds to help complete the renovations of FHCB’s clinical service center in Brooklyn (known as The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Building in Brooklyn), at 3540 S. Hanover Street, in addition to honoring Dr. Lawyer for more than 30 years spent serving Baltimore City families.

The Community Fellowship Award has been named for the late Dr. Lewis H. Richardson, Jr., an educator and advocate for health equity who was also a past chair of the Family Health Centers of Baltimore’s Board of Directors.

“Dr. Richardson was an educator in the Baltimore school system for more than 30 years and served on our board for 20 years. He was a tireless advocate for health equity. Given the efforts of Dr. Lawyer to eliminate health disparities in our communities, it is fitting that he be named the first recipient of this award,” Ms. McLellan said. In addition, the pediatric waiting area at FHCB’s Brooklyn center will be named in Dr. Lawyer’s honor. 

“Dr. Lawyer has had privileges at Mercy since 1986, delivering countless babies over the years. He founded the Metropolitan OB/GYN Group to bring exemplary obstetrical services to Baltimore City families and serves as a mentor and instructor to physicians who care for expectant mothers today and will for years to come,” said Sr. Helen Amos, RSM, Executive Chair, Mercy Health Services Board of Trustees, and a featured speaker for the May 29th event. 

Other guest speakers will include Dr. Richardson’s son, Guy Richardson, Deputy Director for Veteran’s Affairs Capital Health Care Network; and retired Chief Executive Officer and President of the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore and Honorary Chair of the Bricks for Brooklyn campaign, Bert J. Hash, Jr.

Proceeds from the event ticket and sponsorship sales, which includes an open bar and light hors d’oeurves, will help finance ongoing renovations of the Brooklyn health center’s first floor exam rooms and second floor behavior health unit, administrative offices and a conference center. As part of the fundraiser, representatives of the Bricks for Brooklyn program will be on hand; engraved bricks, available for purchase at various price levels, will be used to create a brick walkway at the South Hanover Street entrance to the Brooklyn center.

“For more than 35 years, the Family Health Center of Baltimore has provided affordable, high-quality primary health care in Baltimore City. Mercy and Family Health share the same mission, to provide the best care to patients, no matter their economic or social condition. On behalf of the Sisters of Mercy and the Mercy executive staff, I offer my heartiest congratulations to Dr. Lawyer and our thanks to everyone at Family Health for their efforts to serve the wellness needs of the people of Baltimore,” Sr. Helen said.

For available ticket and sponsorship opportunities, contact Nesa Brown at 410-354-2001 for details.

Family Health is a not-for-profit federally qualified health center (FQHC), providing primary care services at four locations in the Baltimore Area. Family Health first opened in 1978 under the name of South Baltimore Family Health Center (SBFHC) as a well-baby clinic, located in Cherry Hill, and now provides a wide range of primary care services to the community at an affordable cost.

Mercy Medical Center has a long-standing history and partnership with the Family Health Centers of Baltimore, as well as Total Health Care, Chase-Brexton Health Services and Health Care for the Homeless, all Federally Qualified Health Centers which provide high-quality, cost-efficient and accessible health care regardless of insurance status.