Leadership
Thundermist provides medical, behavioral health and dental care using highly skilled teams led by board certified physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, dental hygienists and behavioral health clinicians.
Our providers care for people of all ages – from newborns to our elderly neighbors. Our providers have many years of experience.
Thundermist Health Center is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors.
Chuck Jones
Chuck Jones rejoined Thundermist Health Center as president and CEO in December 2024. Chuck got his introduction to community health as Thundermist’s chief information officer and executive director of its Woonsocket health center in 2008 and was then promoted to serve as CEO through March 2017.
Between his two terms at Thundermist, Chuck held the role of CEO at Harbor Health Services. In addition to operating the first community health center in the country at Columbia Point in Boston, Harbor Health runs several community health centers and elder care programs in Massachusetts.
He graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a master of business administration from Bentley University. Chuck served for five years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer, with tours in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and many ports on both coasts of the United States. Following his service in the Navy, he spent nine years leading technology consulting services and consulting engagements primarily in the healthcare industry.
David M. Bourassa, MD
Dr. David Bourassa began his career at Thundermist Health Center in 1997 as a full-time pediatrician. He was appointed medical director in 1998. As Thundermist expanded into additional communities, he was named chief medical officer/senior vice president in 2003. He has been the supervising physician and medical director for the Thundermist school-based health centers in Woonsocket since 1999. He has been a member of the Rhode Island Health Center Association Clinical Leadership Committee since 1999 and previously served as chairperson.
Dr. Bourassa graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine with honors and completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Bourassa is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a member of the RI Medical Society, and a member of the American Mensa Society. He is also interested in international health care. In 1997 he volunteered his time and services to AmeriCares in Armenia, where he worked with local physicians to implement well child initiatives. In 2005 and 2006 Dr. Bourassa spent two weeks in the rural and impoverished regions of Honduras through a partnership between Thundermist and Shoulder to Shoulder, Inc., a private, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization providing healthcare services in developing countries.
Matthew Roman, MBA, LICSW
As the agency’s chief operating officer, Matt is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Thundermist’s medical, behavioral health, and dental sites and services. Having previously served as the heath center director at Tri-County Community Action Agency, Matt brings a wealth of experience in practice transformation and innovation to Thundermist. Prior to working at Tri-County, Matt served in various capacities at Family Service of Rhode Island, first as the director of home-based services and then as their vice president of clinical services.
Matt holds a master’s of social work from New York University. He also graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a master’s in business administration. He earned his undergraduate degree at Saint Lawrence.
Matt is a recipient of the Collaborative Leadership in Action Award and the first annual New York University School of Social Work Excellence in Social Work Research Award.
Eric Prosseda, DMD
401-783-0523, x1173
Dr. Eric Prosseda graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and completed his Bachelor of Science-Biology at Pennsylvania State University. He began his career at Thundermist Health Center in 2002 as a full-time dentist. He was appointed Dental Director in 2004. In 2019, Dr. Prosseda was promoted to Chief Dental Officer at Thundermist. As Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Prosseda oversees all three dental facilities. He manages safety and hygiene of all dental procedures and effectively trains staff on new protocol when necessary. Dr. Prosseda has special skills and training in molar endodontics, pediatrics, dentures and extractions. He works at Thundermist Health Center of South County, located in Wakefield, RI. Dr. Prosseda is an advocate for pediatric dental care. He aims to help children get their first dental check-up by age one. Early dental visits also help children become more comfortable with visiting the dentist and improve overall health and development.
Karen Mazzola, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
401-767-4100 x4719
Karen Mazzola began her career as a registered nurse in 2002 at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. In 2005, she came to Thundermist Health Center as a staff nurse in the pediatric department. In 2010 she was promoted to pediatric nurse manager and director of nursing in 2012. Karen was responsible for overseeing the day to day clinical operations and departmental support for a more than 20 providers at Thundermist. Karen is deeply connected to our mission and has a passion for providing high-quality care to the patients we serve.
As the Chief of Clinical Operations, Karen leads the development and advancement of excellence in primary care nursing at Thundermist. Her responsibilities include recruiting, developing, and mentoring nurse leaders within Thundermist and supporting their work as they develop staff in clinical support roles. She also tasked to ensure appropriate training of nursing and medical assistant staff, working to establish pathways for growth of these roles, and further developing the role of nursing across Thundermist.
Karen brings significant experience in primary care and a vast knowledge of Thundermist and our communities to the position. She has more than six years of experience as a nursing leader in Woonsocket. She also has experience in the hospital and homecare settings.
Karen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Rhode Island and received her Master of Science in Nursing degree, with a concentration in operational leadership, from Quinnipiac University. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Norfolk Special Education Parents Advisory Council, promoting improved education and success for students with disabilities. She also serves on the Rhode Island Department of Health Vaccine Advisory Committee.
Elizabeth Lynch, LICSW
401-767-4100, x3588
Elizabeth Lynch began her career as a legal assistant and case manager in California at St. Joseph Center. She provided welfare advocacy, immigration counseling, and crisis intervention. In 2010, she came to Thundermist as the director of behavioral health and social services. Over the years, Elizabeth has been responsible for overseeing the daily clinical operations of the behavioral health and social services employees.
As the chief of behavioral health and social services, Elizabeth leads the integrated behavioral health and social services programs. She provides clinical supervision and program evaluation of employees.
Elizabeth brings nearly 40 years of experience and has a vast knowledge of the social and behavioral health services needed within the communities we serve. Prior to Thundermist, Elizabeth worked as a clinician at AIDS Project Rhode Island, a division of Family Services of Rhode Island. She also worked at Tides Family Services as a Latino Outreach Project clinician.
Elizabeth received her bachelor of arts in sociology from the College of the Holy Cross and received her master of social work from Rhode Island College. She has ben a workshop presenter at the National Institute of Mental Health, which featured working with families to treat mental health and prevention/adaption to HIV/AIDS.