Dr. Matthew A. Weissman Chair of Medicine | Maimonides Medical Center
Dr. Matthew A. Weissman Chair of Medicine | Maimonides Medical Center
The 2024 Gay City News Impact Awards ceremony took place on November 21 at Terrace on the Park in Queens, marking its ninth year of recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community in New York City and beyond. Two leaders from Maimonides Health were among those honored this year.
Ken Gibbs, CEO and President of Maimonides Health, expressed his congratulations: “We congratulate Dr. Thwin and Michael Brincat for this recognition. These two individuals enrich our team every day through their commitment to making Maimonides more inclusive and supportive for both patients and staff, and we are deeply grateful for that. As we continue to make strides in setting our organization apart as a provider of equitable care for all, their leadership has been instrumental to achieving milestones like our designation as an ‘LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer’ by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for the first time this year.”
Dr. Nilar Thwin leads Maimonides’ LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Clinic, which provides multidisciplinary mental health care to LGBTQIA+ communities across Brooklyn. Her career began in Myanmar and continued with psychiatric residencies in the UK and US, followed by a fellowship at Zucker School of Medicine/Northwell. Her work is inspired by early experiences with patients in crisis and family members within the community.
Under Dr. Thwin's guidance, the clinic collaborates with local LGBTQIA+ organizations and participated in the Advancing Healthcare Excellence and Inclusion project by the Healthcare Association of New York State. The clinic offers vital services to over 250 LGBTQIA+ patients annually, focusing on outreach and support.
Dr. Thwin stated: “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from a community that has always been close to my heart and central to my work since my early days as a medical resident.”
Michael Brincat has been with Maimonides Health for over 16 years, advocating for accessible care and diversity within the organization. He played a key role in launching fundraising initiatives like the Battle for Brooklyn charity softball game and Pink Runway fashion show.
Brincat remarked: “I am honored to be recognized alongside such an inspiring group... I’m proud of the programs we’ve built here at Maimonides for both our patients and staff.”
For more information about award winners or event photos, additional resources are available online.
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