Local Doctors, Nurses Endorse Allison Staton For Board Of Health

In a letter to the editor, several Dedham Doctors and Nurses endorsed Allison Staton for the Board of Health in the upcoming town election on April 13:

We, the undersigned local health care professionals, are writing this letter in strong support of Allison Staton for election to the Dedham Board of Health.

Allison is an extremely well-qualified candidate who will add needed balance to the board. The current composition of the board includes a pharmacist and a registered nurse. While it is valuable to have these health care professionals participate in Board of Health matters, it is also important to recognize that the Board of Health is a regulatory body that deals with a broad range of issues that affect our town’s overall health, such as hazardous waste disposal, restaurant safety and food preparation, and town swimming pool maintenance, among many others; as such, it would be of tremendous benefit to have a board member with extensive expertise in health policy and regulatory issues.

Early in her career, Allison worked on improving access to health care for children through a program that became the model for the Federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); she went on to do policy and advocacy work at Health Care for All, Crittenton Women’s Union and the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations.

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With a Master’s degree from the Harvard School of Public Health and a strong background in policy-making and program development, Allison will bring an important perspective and understanding to the Board of Health that is critical given the duties of this board. Rounding out the health care expertise on the Board with broader public policy expertise will benefit all Dedham residents.

Allison also brings new energy and fresh ideas to the Board of Health. She is excited to explore how the Board can be innovative and proactive around health and safety issues relevant for our residents.

As Dedham residents and health care professionals from many disciplines, we enthusiastically support Allison Staton and hope you will join us in voting for her on Saturday April 13th.

Respectfully submitted,

Katie Casey, RN, BSN
Michael Cocchi, MD
Katie Crisostomo, MPH
Sara Cucinotta, PT
John Dashe, MD, PhD
Stephen J. Eyre, MD
Cindy Gillan, LMT
Lyndsay Kubicek DVM DACVR (RO)
Sharon Lane, RN
Meredith Langmead, BS, RN, CPN
Lindy Lurie, LICSW
Kerry Matthews, RN
Emily Peloquin-Pape, NP
Michael Roberts, OTD, OTR/L
Michelle Shanahan, RT (R)
Catherine M. Sumner, DVM, DACVECC
Kathy Widger, MSW