Dedham 2022 Candidate Profile: Colleen Hynes

DEDHAM, MA - Dedham voters will have a big choice to make in Saturday's election for the Board of Health.

Current board Vice Chair Mary Ellard, whose term expires this month, has decided not to run for reelection. This creates an open seat with two contenders for it: Colleen Hynes and Bernadette Chirokas.

To help voters get to know each candidate, Dedham Patch sent both candidates a questionnaire to probe their thoughts on the issues. Here's what Hynes had to say.

Age as of Election Day: 43

Position sought: Dedham Board of Health

Family: My husband Justin and our two children, Ronan (14) and Ada (8). Our rescue dog, Sully.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Occupation: Registered Nurse with nearly 12 years of experience.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Colle...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I'm seeking to become the next elected member of the Board of Health because I'm deeply committed to Dedham and care immensely about our community. As someone raised in this town and a graduate of Dedham High School, I'm deeply rooted in the community.

After years of military service and traveling, I returned home to raise my children here with my husband because Dedham is an exceptional town. As a Veteran and Registered Nurse (RN), my passion lies in service, advocacy, and improving the well-being of others. Dedham has been so wonderful to my family that serving our town would align my passion for service and health advocacy to protect our community's health and environment.

The single most pressing issue facing our town is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

One of the most pressing issues for Dedham, like many other towns, is mental health, especially among youth and seniors. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression certainly existed before COVID. Still, we have seen just how much the pandemic exacerbated them, especially with loneliness, grief, and financial consequences.

I want to ensure people are aware of the resources available and have the support to connect with them. I want to partner with our health department, school counselors, nurses, staff, and other town organizations, such as the Dedham Youth Commission, to unite our youth and their family members with mental health services. Also, I'm aware that Dedham's Council on Aging is considering on-boarding a social worker, which would be a vital asset in connecting our seniors to the counseling services they need.

In addition to addressing mental health, it's equally important to take a comprehensive and inclusive approach to assess the community's health by partnering with our health department to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Accomplished through surveys and interviews, a CHNA will provide us with crucial information and data, highlighting health needs that require prioritization and interventions, such as mental health, substance abuse, and social determinants of health. Then, we can create a plan using the resources we already have in place and build on them.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Nursing experience – I have many years of hands-on, diverse nursing experience. I've cared for many individuals from infancy to end-of-life, from various races, cultures, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds, which has given me firsthand experience in understanding the health needs and concerns of individuals from different groups.

I've worked in various specialties, including pediatric and adult surgery and critical care - specifically in trauma and surgical intensive care units (ICU) and a three-month deployment to a COVID ICU. Currently, I work in clinical research at the Boston VA, where I am responsible for delivering patient care in clinical trials to improve health outcomes using evidence-based science. I'm adept at navigating the complex healthcare regulatory environment and administering policies to ensure the highest health and safety standards.

Military service – As a U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Veteran with seven years of active duty service, including three tours in the Middle East, I truly embrace the calling to serve. My military career is one of the most profound experiences of my life, where I developed relationships with others from all walks of life. I learned to lead and follow culturally diverse teams, build collaborative relationships with international partners in dynamic environments, and the importance of service to my country and my community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

I don't believe the current Board has failed our community. Over the past two years, along with handling their daily activities, the Board has had to respond to and communicate changing guidance and government orders quickly. In addition, they've worked collaboratively with other boards, committees, and the community, keeping our community's health front and center, such as holding several COVID vaccine clinics during the pandemic.

Our Board has consistently shown its leadership capabilities as Dedham was the first town to go smoke-free in the state and banned e-cartridges and e-cigarette sales due to the rise in use among youth.

Are there areas of improvement, though? Absolutely. The Boards' Facebook page could use attention to bring it up-to-date so community members can access and share current information via social media. It would be great to see events shared on the Facebook page, like the Household Hazardous Waste Collection day scheduled for April 30th. It would also be helpful to see upcoming regulations the Board will be reviewing and possibly amending, like the domestic animal regulation, so residents can be involved if they have an interest.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

- Addressing substance use disorder through the continued support of the Dedham Organization of Substance Awareness and ensuring residents have access to resources that target prevention, treatment, and recovery. In addition, I'm interested in coordinating substance abuse speaking engagements for our youth and other community members.

-Respectfully listening to our community members' concerns, researching subjects, and timely responses.

-Working with local businesses to ensure all health and safety measures are adhered to while providing assistance and education.

-Fostering relationships by working together across all departments to support our community's health needs.

-Proactive after-action and future planning for continued response to COVID, including vaccines, tests, masks, and approved treatment options.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As an RN and Veteran, I've served in various leadership roles. I've deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, where I hit the ground running to meet mission objectives and supervise military operations.

In March 2020, I pivoted from my clinical research role into a critical care role. I helped stand up the COVID ICU at the West Roxbury VA and then worked as a staff and charge nurse in that ICU. I've also learned the invaluable trait of being a reliable team member, which I embrace in my role as an RN and would translate as a member of the Board.

Being engaged with the local community is extremely important to me. I'm a District Curriculum Advisory Group member, an engaged group that includes residents and school administration to discuss curriculum development and changes and how best to relay that information to the community. I also partake in school volunteer opportunities at Oakdale Elementary School and Dedham High School.

I volunteer at the Greater Boston Stand Down, an annual event where VA staff volunteer to provide food, clothing, health screenings, and other essential services to homeless and at-risk Veterans.

I am an active member of the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs and have served as a preceptor to many new graduate RNs.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Never ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself." I learned this from one of my commanding officers, who would help with tasks typically accomplished by enlisted personnel. It's a statement that resonated with me over two decades ago and has been a guiding principle as I've moved through different phases of my life, both personally and professionally.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I pledge to serve our community with the same ethical principles I uphold as a nurse and veteran. As Dedham continues to flourish, the Board will need a member who is engaged, approachable, and skilled in advocating for the health and safety of all community members. With my strong healthcare background and military experience, I believe I can be a valuable member of the Board. The residents of Dedham are the eyes, ears, and pulse of our town, and, together, we can continue efforts to keep our town safe and healthy.

I humbly ask for your vote on Saturday, April 9th.