Medford, Arlington Health Directors Among Virtual SOTU Guests

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Katherine Clark honored public health leaders in her district by hosting them as her virtual guests at the State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Clark met virtually with her guests ahead of President Biden's address to thank them for their work throughout the pandemic and discuss how the American Rescue Plan helped keep their communities protected and safe.

"Throughout the pandemic, our incredible town and city public health officials have continued to put community before self, risking their own health to protect their neighbors from COVID-19," Clark said in a statement. "This is an opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to these officials and all our health care heroes."

Among the guests were MaryAnn O'Connor, director of the Medford Board of Health, and Arlington Public Health Director Natasha Waden.

"I am honored to be included among a group of truly incredible public health staff, and very grateful to Congresswoman Clark for recognizing us in this important way," O'Connor said. “Guiding our communities through an unprecedented global health crisis has been challenging for public health leaders, caregivers, community leaders, and others, but being able to support our residents in need is exactly why we do what we do daily in public health."

Clark touted health care investments on the part of the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats, which funded COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and additional staff, PPE and more at the local level.

"Today was an important opportunity to communicate that public health infrastructure really needs support," Waden said. "We need to put public health at the forefront because we really are first responders. We know our communities, and we know where to go to get resources to people. This means building off the infrastructure and the support provided by the Biden administration and Congress."

Officials from Framingham, Watertown, Cambridge, Winthrop, Lincoln, Sherborn, Sudbury, Southborough, Lexington, Winchester, Revere and Natick also participated in the virtual call.