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