Howard Brown Health Center President and CEO Jamal Edwards and Board Chair Karma Israelsen alerted donors Feb. 19 that the agency had experienced a security breach of their donor database.
Following is the letter they sent:
Dear Howard Brown Donor and Friend,
At Howard Brown Health Center, we take the security and privacy of our donors' information very seriously. Yesterday, we identified a potential breach in our donor database. The donor database that was potentially breached includes personal phone numbers and email addresses. At this point, we have no reason to believe that credit card information has been compromised. We also have no reason to believe that confidential patient records were inappropriately accessed.
Howard Brown Health Center is alerting the appropriate authorities and conducting an internal investigation of this incident. All parties, including current and former staff members, who played a role in this unlawful and inappropriate activity will be held accountable, and we will pursue all available recourse to the fullest extent of the law.
This incident came to our attention because several concerned donors recently received a libelous anonymous email about Howard Brown Health Center and its staff. Howard Brown is fortunate to have the support of a caring community that came to its assistance at its most fragile moment. Today, thanks to our donors and steadfast allies, like you, we are paying down our debt; existing on a leaner, balanced budget; and providing more services to the patients and clients who have come to rely on us. In this new day at Howard Brown Health Center, we are thankful for your support as we manage a healthy change to secure the future of our vital health and wellness programs for generations to come.
Howard Brown Health Center will continue to provide you with updates as additional information becomes available. We apologize for the inconvenience and want to assure you that working expeditiously to address this matter. If you have any questions about this incident, please contact Chuck Benya, Vice President and Chief Development Officer, at (773) 388-8793 or chuckb@howardbrown.org . Thank you for your understanding and have a pleasant President's Day Weekend.
