CHA Raises More Than $1M at Record-Setting Art of Healing Gala
CHA honors Epic Founder Judy Faulkner for her philanthropic contributions
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Academic community health system Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) raised more than $1 million at its annual Art of Healing Gala on June 5 at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Mass. The event, hosted by arts and entertainment critic Joyce Kulhawik, honored health care philanthropist Judy Faulkner, founder and CEO of Epic, with CHA's annual Art of Healing Award.
Proceeds from the evening will support CHA's vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time, helping CHA meet the health needs of patients across Cambridge, Somerville, Everett and Boston's metro-north communities during one million visits a year.
Recognized on Forbes' 2026 list of America's Greatest Innovators, Ms. Faulkner's vision guides how health systems use electronic health records to deliver safer, more connected care to the 325 million patients worldwide with a record in Epic.
As an Epic customer for more than 20 years, Cambridge Health Alliance has pioneered innovations that strengthen care for its diverse patient population, including early adoption of MyChart in Spanish and Portuguese and the first full integration of Epic Video Client with interpreter services.
"I am grateful for the wonderful collaboration between Epic and CHA and for this meaningful recognition," said Ms. Faulkner. "We at Epic have great respect for the work CHA is doing and are aligned in our focus on compassion and innovation–doing good and helping to improve health care, not just today but for generations to come."
Through Epic's charitable giving, the company has provided generous programmatic funding that advances patient care and expands access across CHA, particularly for patients who face barriers to care. This partnership has also been shaped by Ms. Faulkner's personal commitment to expanding access to care for families with very young children, including her philanthropy through the Roots & Wings Foundation. Her longstanding dedication to innovation and community impact has helped strengthen initiatives that serve patients and families across the region. Support for CHA's newly renovated Birth Center is the most recent example of this enduring commitment.
"We are pleased to honor Ms. Faulkner and thank her for two decades of support for CHA," said Cambridge Health Alliance CEO Assaad Sayah, MD. "As we work to reimagine health care and build a stronger foundation for health in Massachusetts, it is fitting to celebrate Ms. Faulkner for her contributions to healthcare technology and her visionary leadership, innovation, and generosity."
This year's event highlighted CHA's commitment to innovating for good and imagining what's possible in health care. CHA is expanding its robotic surgery program to CHA Everett Hospital, leveraging technology to provide more timely care while bringing providers closer to their patients, and adding capacity in behavioral health to help people struggling with anxiety, depression, or mental illness.
The Art of Healing Award celebrates visionary people who transcend boundaries, embrace humanity and inspire the healing of body and spirit. Past honorees include Marylou Sudders, former Mass. Secretary of Health and Human Services; Dr. Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering; John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence; and former Mass. Governor Michael Dukakis and Kitty Dukakis.