

Accomplishments
Policy and District Highlights
- Eversource Tree Cutting – Meetings, Comments to DPU reflected in final language of the 5 Year plan
- An Act Repealing the Computer and Software Services Taxes
- An Act Relative to Natural Gas Leaks – Gas Line Extensions and NSTAR communication for the Town of Needham
- Town of Needham and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on water – Meetings, comments on SWMI regulations
- Charles Court East and MassDOT Add-a-Lane – Meetings, site visits, remediation to the I-95 Add a Lane portion in Needham
- An Act Establishing a Highway Buffer Zone in the Town of Needham
- Hillside School and MSBA – Meetings, formal communication
- Drug Courts – Visit to Veteran’s Drug Court in Dedham, research, and collaboration with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee
- Civic Engagement in Needham and Dover Schools
Honors and Awards
- 2021: Jewish Community Relations Council’s Legislative Leadership Award
- 2019: Massachusetts Public Health Association Legislative Champion
- 2019: Charles River Center’s Maria McTernan Leadership Award
- 2019: Recovery Homes Collaborative Legislator of the Year
- 2018: Mass Aging and Mental Health Coalition, Older Adult’s Champion Award
- 2018: MA School Psychology Assoc. Legislator of the Year Award
- 2018: Developmental Disabilities Council and Arc of Massachusetts Legislator of the Year Award
- 2018: Vinfen Public Official of the Year
- 2016: Massachusetts Council on Aging Legislative Advocate of the Year Award
- 2015: Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention Legislator of the Year Award
- 2015: Massachusetts Reading Association Reading Advocate Award
- 2014: Park and Recreation Legislator of the Year Award
- 2014: American Heart Association Heart of Our Mission Legislator Award
- 2014: Needham Council on Aging Outstanding Effort Recognition
- 2013-14: Harvard School of Public Health Environmental Research Center Advisory Board
- 2013-14: Legislative Liaison to Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention
- 2014: Keynote Speaker at Charles River YMCA – Needham Annual Gala – 2014
- 2014: Keynote Speaker at American Society of Dental Students Association Annual Dinner
- 2014: Invited and Attended Council of State Governments (CSG) Innovations in Healthcare Policy Academy
- Needham Council of Economic Advisors
- Needham Interfaith Clergy Association (invited monthly guest)
- 2014: Massachusetts Hospital Association Women Leaders in Health Care Conference
- American Nursing Association Massachusetts Nursing Summit
- Massachusetts Association of Health Plans Annual Conference and Policy Forums
- 2014 – 2015: Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation: Massachusetts Institute for Community Health Leaders Fellow
- 2013: Harvard Kennedy School Shaping Healthcare Policy
- 2013: Legislative Study Group to Israel
- 2011: Massachusetts Nurses Association Freshman Legislator Recognition Award
Legislation Highlights
- An Act for Prevention and Access to Appropriate Care and Treatment of Addiction – Was the lead House author for 2018’s opioid bill, emphasizing the importance of prevention.
- An Act relative to newborn pulse oximetry screenings for congenital heart defects, as well as FY’15 Budget language for $100,000 to ensure Congenital Cardiac Heart Disease screening fact sheet and epidemiological studies to collect, interpret and evaluate program effectiveness.
- An Act Relative to Patient Limits in All Hospital Intensive Care Units – landmark first in the nation legislation to have a law protecting patient safety.
- An Act to Increase Opportunities for long-term Substance Abuse Recovery
- An Act Relative to the Reduction of Gun Violence – Suicide Prevention Language
- An Act directing the division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to Convey Certain Parcels of Land in the Town of Medfield to the Town of Medfield – Medfield Well field and Water Tower
- An Act Authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to Convey Certain Parcels of Land in the Town of Medfield – This is the Medfield State Hospital legacy legislation permitting the Town to purchase the 134 plus acres.
Budget Highlights
- Sheltered workshops: Line Item 5920-2025 of FY’15 Budget (Community Based Day Programs and Sheltered Workshops), Line Item 5920-2026 of FY’15 Budget (Pilot Program), Section 234 of FY’15 Budget (Reporting Requirements)
- Employment for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Secured funding to launch the MetroWest Employment Collaborative
- Medfield State Hospital Master Plan
- Improvements to Rt. 27/West Street in Medfield
- Life for the ambulance purchased by the town of Dover
- Improvements to the Needham Center at the Heights
- Oral Health for Individuals with Disabilities: Section 189 of FY’14 Budget requirement of a report and increase funding with specific requirement to line item 4512-0500 of the FY’15 Budget
- Restoration of Needham MBTA Train Saturday Service: Section 244 of FY’15 Budget
- Elevator Fine Appeal and Waive of Fine (Dover Church and Needham Historical Society) – Section 283 of FY’15 Budget,
- Needham/Dover/Medfield Rail Trail: Included in MassDOT 5 Year Capital Plan ($70,000)
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program: Increase funding to line item 4510-0810
- LGBTQ Youth Commission: Increase funding to line item 0950-0050
- Department of Public Health Registry of Vital Records: Increase Funding in line item 4518-0200
- Addition of MTA and AFT-MA to Early Education Commission: Section 166 of FY’14 Budget