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Dr. Selma R. Deitch

Dr. Selma Deitch founded Child Health Services in 1980. Her mission was to provide help to low-income families and their children, and advocate for quality, comprehensive health care for all children. Following a pediatric residency at Boston Floating Hospital, Dr. Deitch was in private practice and directed Boston Floating Hospital’s pediatric outpatient clinic from 1958 to1965. In 1966, Selma earned her master’s degree in public health from Harvard University, and subsequently served as director of the New Hampshire Division of Maternal and Child Health until 1974.

In 1978, after a remarkably broad and accomplished 30-year medical career that included home-visiting in Boston’s poorest districts, directing a large urban pediatric outpatient clinic, several years in private pediatric practice, serving eight years as director of New Hampshire’s Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, and emerging as a nationally recognized expert on the health aspects of day care, Selma undertook a mission to establish a clinic that would provide a medical home for children of low-income families. This clinic would also integrate the full range of family support services that she knew were essential to ensure the well being of the children served. In order to make this a reality, she assembled a committee of physicians, hospital officials, business and political professionals. Following two years of extensive planning and fundraising, Child Health Services began to treat low-income children in the Greater Manchester area.

An icon in the Manchester and Pediatric communities, Selma's insight, strength, persistence, and innovative strategies helped to develop the unique and effective integrated model of pediatric care, which is Child Health Services. We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to share in her life and her vision, and are forever dedicated to continuing her mission.