CHC is proud to announce Dr. Carl Lecce’s thirty-five years of continuous practice as a family physician at the Community Health Center in Middletown.

On September 6^th, 1978, Dr. Carl Lecce began practicing medicine at the Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC). He had just completed his residency in family medicine as a member of the first graduating class of the then new Middlesex Family Practice Residency Training Program. Today, he celebrates thirty-five years as the epitome of the true family doctor, caring for several generations of Middletown residents and with particular care for the most underserved of our community.

 Margaret Flinter, Senior VP & Clinical director of CHC has been working closely with Dr. Lecce since she started in 1980 as a new nurse practitioner and National Health Service Corps Scholar. “Carl was a tremendous doctor then as he is now; Calm, thorough, great listener and an incredible diagnostician. He mentored me and has continued to mentor so many others over the years,” stated Flinter. “. “He is the unsung hero of health care; I don’t think there is another physician in the area who is held in the esteem that Carl is” said Flinter, “He has quietly embraced change—whenever the changes were good for patients and the practice.” As CHC has grown from its original location in Middletown to include primary care centers in thirteen cities across Connecticut as well as in schools and homeless shelters, Dr. Lecce continued to focus his efforts on the people of Middlesex County.

Dr. Carl Lecce was born and raised in Montoursville, Pennsylvania where he excelled in academics as well as sports. He completed his undergraduate degree in 1971 from Columbia University and received his M.D. from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in 1975. After three years of residency, Carl started his position with CHC in 1978 during their 6^th year of operation; he has grown with the Community Health Center, Inc. since the company started all under one roof and has expanded immensely in its 41 years of existence.

Mark Masselli, President/ CEO and founder of Community Health Center, Inc. recruited Dr. Lecce to join CHC in 1978. “Dr. Lecce joined the Health Center early in our journey and was committed to our mission of ensuring that our communities underserved and disadvantaged would be well cared. As a Family Practitioner he’s what every patient wants from their doctor – someone who knows their family, able to listen to their needs and understands when and how medicine can help their problems. He’s been the foundation of our care delivery model – from the one location here in Middletown when he joined us to today as a State-wide health system for those in need. We celebrate his contribution and remind everyone that it still continues,” Said Masselli.

In honor of this momentous anniversary for not only Dr. Lecce but all the people he works to help and inspire day after day, CHC hosted a luncheon with Middletown staff, colleagues and family members of Dr. Lecce in attendance. The small event acknowledged his much appreciated time and energy spent providing the organization with ongoing guidance and leadership.