Annual Quinn Award Breakfast Honors Community Health Advocate

By Leigh DuPuy

"You are a powerful force for change and improvement," marveled Chancellor Jo Ann Gora at the Community Breakfast honoring the 2003 recipient of the Robert H. Quinn Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Reverend Dr. Bill Loesch has worked tirelessly for nearly 35 years to promote the community health and well being of Boston-area residents. Senator Jack Hart Representatives Brian Wallace and Marty Walsh, joined President William Bulger, Boston City Councillor Maureen Feeney, members of the university community, local leaders, and business people to honor Loesch at the event, held on March 20 at the University Club.

Loesch greeted the accolades with humor and appreciation, remarking, "I never kept a record of all the things I've done because there was always too much to do the next day." He then pointed to those whom he worked with and for, asking his family and members of the community to stand. "Without them, I would not be here."

The wide breadth of his advocacy is apparent in even brief snapshots of his career. Loesch has worked with families, teenagers, the elderly, and activists in all areas of community health promotion, addressing such crucial issues as tobacco abuse, crime prevention, and handgun control.

His community work began in the 1960s and ‘70s as director of the Columbia Point Center. During this time, he served as protestant chaplain to families living in the housing community, was active in community building activities, and was a member of the group that founded Geiger-Gibson Health Center, the first community health center in the country.

Loesch went on to become Boston City Hospital's director of pastoral care and pastoral education, coordinating a team that provided spiritual care to hospital patients. Continuing his focus on health and activism, he became coordinator for the Center for Community Health Education, Research and Service at the Codman Square Health Center and the Dorchester Multi-Service Center in the 1990s.

Most recently, Loesch has worked to recruit, train, and coordinate teen peer leaders for anti-tobacco and environmental health programs. Since 1998, Loesch has served as coordinator of "Teens Against Tobacco," "Seniors Against Tobacco," and "BOLD (Breath of Life: Dorchester) Teens" through the Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition at the Codman Health Center. Two of his daughters, who are both involved in the programs, were onhand to applaud their father.

Among Loesch's longtime colleagues and admirers is Robert Quinn, for whom the community service award is named. Singing Loesch's praises for his community service, Quinn remarked, "Honor is the word. I am forty years young when this community breakfast happens."

"He has devoted his life to lending a hand to those who need it and building coalitions among the community," said Chancellor Gora in her address.

Loesch returned praise to the university, telling the audience, "UMass Boston is one hundred percent education excellence. We must work to keep this educational system in place!"

This support was also evident in the address by Senator Hart, who read the proclamation of award for Reverend Dr. Loesch. "I have a great affinity for all that happens at UMass Boston," he said. "I want to thank you for all the great work!"

President Bulger closed the program with his own words of congratulations: "Reverend Loesch, you have such a splendid record. Your example is better than any single lesson."

This is the seventeenth year the university has given the award to an individual who has displayed exemplary community service. The spirit of the award is modeled after Quinn's commitment to higher education and the community. As a member of the House of Representatives, Quinn co-sponsored the legislation that created UMass Boston and has worked for over 38 years to make higher education available to the citizens of Boston.

Images: State Representatives Marty Walsh and Brian Wallace, Chancellor Jo Ann Gora, and Senator Jack Hart and Reverend Loesch and Quinn, at the Quinn Community Breakfast, held at UMass Boston on March 20. (Photos by Harry Brett)

Go to menu