SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health recently announced new leadership of its Board of Trustees, with Dr. Akinyele Lovelace serving as chair and Attorney Tony Dos Santos serving as vice chair.
“The leadership of our Board of Trustees is essential to Baystate Health’s role as a health and economic pillar for our region,” said Peter D. Banko, president & CEO of Baystate Health. “Dr. Lovelace and Attorney Dos Santos possess the values, experience, and community commitment we need as we continue our journey to provide compassionate, quality and accessible care, grow consistent with our strategic plan — Baystate Health 2030, and build financial resilience.”
Lovelace is a board-certified internist and partner at Family Medicine Associates in Westfield, where he leads an independent, multidisciplinary primary care practice.
Lovelace has been an active leader in the regional healthcare community, including six years of service on the Baystate Health Board of Trustees, most recently as vice chair. In partnership with his wife, Christina Lovelace, he served as honorary chair of the Baystate Noble Ball in 2024. He is affiliated with Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Wing Hospital and Baystate Medical Center.
Lovelace earned a bachelor of science from Xavier University of Louisiana and a doctor of osteopathic medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. After practicing medicine in Texas and earning an MBA from Texas Tech University, he returned to the East Coast in 2015 to join Family Medicine Associates. Since returning, Lovelace has focused his work on advancing primary care, clinical leadership, and innovative models that improve access and outcomes for patients across Western Massachusetts. Outside of his professional work, he and his wife are raising two teenage daughters in the community.
“I am deeply grateful to all current and former members of our Board of Trustees for their dedication to Baystate Health,” Banko said. “Their leadership and commitment have helped us manage change while delivering on our commitment to serving our communities, while keeping care local. Over the past year, their hard work has supported important progress with our transformation efforts through operational improvement and growth that has stabilized our financial performance, allowing us to reinvest in our people, technology, and patient care.”
