While Sandra Cotterell is retiring as the longtime CEO of Codman Square Health Center, there will be no forgetting her in Dorchester – especially now that a Washington Street building will bear her name.

The health center’s annual meeting on Oct. 5 in the Great Hall was a celebration of its more than 40 years of existence, a return to in-person meetings, and an opportunity to honor Cotterell and state Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh.

Health center officials surprised Cotterell by announcing that the building at 450 Washington St., which houses the Daily Table market and HealthWorks Gym, will now be known as the “Sandra Cotterell, RN, Wellness and Fitness Center at 450.”

Cotterell, a rabid runner and football fan who will serve as CEO until a replacement is found, said she appreciated the honor of having a building dedicated to wellness named after her.

“I do believe in health and fitness and talking the talk and walking the walk with the community,” she said. “You can’t take care of a community if you can’t take care of yourself.”

A Mission Hill resident, Cotterell has served at the Codman Square Health Center (CSHC) for 30 years. She was hired by the Center’s co-founder, Bill Walczak, and has been the CEO for the past 13 years. She plans to remain in the Dorchester community to continue volunteering as a physical fitness coach.

Walsh, now the state’s top health care official, served as CEO of Boston Medical Center for 13 years. She praised Cotterell and CSHC for their record of promoting community health, particularly through fitness, food access, and the on-campus charter school.

“There have only been two CEOs in more than 40 years here,” she said. “I don’t know many organizations that can say that. I think it goes to show you the kind of commitment Codman engenders, its strength in the community, and the board that serves it …We were a better hospital because of Codman Square Health Center’s understanding of its community.”

Board President Bob MacEachern, a third-generation Codman Square resident, said the board has begun to search for a new CEO. He noted there would be “challenges and changes” this year, but added, “I want to be very clear: The mission of Codman will not change,” said MacEachern. “Our leadership will change, but our core mission will not change. I think people need to hear that when there is a time of change.”

• A reminder that CSHC will be hold its 26th annual Men of Boston Cook for Women’s Health party on Thurs., Oct. 12 under the tent in Codman Square.

CSHC’s Tony Stankiewicz, co-founder Bill Walczak, Michelle Rue, and Jeramie Regis.

Board President Bob MacEachern bestows honorary prints from CSHC to Sandra Cotterell and state Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh during the annual meeting.

Lea Campolo and Nina Bascia.

Chrylann Barrett, Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, and Eileen Boyle.

CSHC Board members Ardis Vaughan and Steve Weymouth.