July 23, 2025 (Smithfield, RI) – Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood) employees mobilized for the “CEO Challenge” and raised $16,000 to benefit ALS United Rhode Island, which offers support to Rhode Islanders living with ALS.
Held on Neighborhood’s Smithfield campus on July 18, Neighborhood’s President and CEO Peter Marino and other members of the organization’s leadership team braved the dunk tank and bucket challenges all while employees lined up for a turn at soaking them.
“Hosting this event for ALS United Rhode Island each year is more than a tradition—it demonstrates the spirit and compassion our employees have for the community,” said Marino. “There’s something powerful about seeing our team come together with such passion and purpose, united by a cause that touches so many lives.”
“We are thankful for the unwavering support from Neighborhood,” said Christina Vilardi, executive director of ALS United Rhode Island. “Neighborhood employees’ support fuels our mission —empowering us to deliver vital care through our Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic, provide essential medical equipment, and invest in groundbreaking research. Together, with unity and purpose, we move closer to a future without ALS.”
ABOUT ALS:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease that gradually impairs the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. Its cause remains unknown. On average, caring for someone with ALS costs $250,000 per year. Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with the disease.
ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD:
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood) is a not-for-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) founded in December 1993 in partnership with Rhode Island’s Community Health Centers and the state to ensure everyone in Rhode Island has access to high quality, cost-effective health care. Neighborhood serves over 220,000 members in the state with 77 percent of its membership Medicaid eligible through its ACCESS and TRUST plans and 5 percent of its membership utilizing Neighborhood’s INTEGRITY Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP). About 16 percent of Neighborhood’s members are individuals, families and small businesses who select one of nine Neighborhood commercial plans available through the health exchange, HealthSourceRI. Of these members, about 85 percent qualify for federal subsidies to cover a portion of their costs. Today, Neighborhood—with nearly 650 employees and $1.6 billion in revenue—serves one out of every five Rhode Islanders. Learn more at nhpri.org.