Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts Welcomes Seven New Board Members

SPRINGFIELD — The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) announced the addition of seven new members to its board of directors.

“We thought we already had the best of our region, and we do, but now we are adding seven more incredible leaders to our team,” said Jessica Collins, executive director of PHIWM. “We are proud to introduce our new board members, who bring passion, experience, and strategic thinking to our work.”

• Elizabeth Dineen is the executive director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts. Prior to this role, she was assistant district attorney for 27 years in Hampden County, during which time she prosecuted domestic violence, rape, child abuse, and murder cases. She also served for four years as chair of the Criminal Justice Department at Bay Path University.

• Keith Fairey is CEO of Way Finders. He previously served as the senior vice president for Enterprise Community Partners Inc. and as chief operating officer of the Mount Hope Housing Co. He has extensive experience in building economic equity through community development, organizational development, and strategic planning.

• Rachel Gordon is co-executive director of the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, the sexual and domestic-violence crisis center serving Franklin County and the North Quabbin. She previously worked as a researcher and program manager for the London-based Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium, as well as a freelance researcher and consultant for international and local nonprofits. She brings expertise in policy and compassion and dedication to creating equity for all.

• Airín Martínez is an assistant professor in Health Policy & Management in the Department of Health Promotion and Policy at the School of Public Health & Health Sciences, UMass Amherst. She completed the W.K. Kellogg Health Scholars post-doctoral fellowship in community-based participatory research and health disparities at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research examines how sociopolitical conditions and institutional racism produce chronic-disease disparities among Latinx immigrants and their U.S.-born children.

• Dr. Sarah Perez McAdoo is the Population Health capstone director at UMass Medical School – Baystate. Her work has focused on the areas of public policy, community-based strategies, program planning, health advocacy, and healthcare education. She co-founded of the nationally recognized YEAH! Network, a local coalition that reduced teen pregnancy rates and brought to the fore the importance of adolescent health and their power to change policies and systems for the better.

• Kimberly Robinson is executive director at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. She has vast experience thoughtfully and successfully guiding regional planning and community development at the city and county levels. She is recognized for her expert ability to create a holistic and compelling shared vision, anticipate challenges and creatively leverage opportunities, and develop relevant and impactful policy.

• Cherelle Rozie is the director of Community Health & Well-Being for Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center, which includes oversight of Healthcare for the Homeless and the MassUp Springfield Food Insecurity program. Prior to joining Trinity Health Of New England, she led regional efforts at the American Heart Assoc./American Stroke Assoc. She has many years of experience leading efforts to address health equity and just systems and policy change.