BOSTON ~ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced the appointment of Dr. Elsie Taveras as the new chairperson of the Boston Board of Health and Stan McLaren as the newest member of the board. Dr. Taveras, who has been a member of the board since April 2023, will now take on the role of chairperson, while McLaren will fill the open seat.

Mayor Wu expressed her confidence in Dr. Taveras, stating that she is excited to see her take on this new responsibility and continue her work towards making Boston a safe and healthy city for all its residents. She also commended McLaren for his experiences working with vulnerable communities in Boston, which she believes will bring valuable perspective to his role on the board.

Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston, also praised both Dr. Taveras and McLaren for their leadership and expressed her excitement for them to step into new roles on the Board of Health. She highlighted their deep community ties and shared commitment to addressing health disparities in Boston as assets that will greatly benefit both BPHC and its residents.

More on Boston Chron

• How to Fast-Track Your Way to the Top with The Code
• Lyricalmar Set To Release Powerful New Ep "MARCHIVES" May 16
• Charleston, SC - ACSEC offers Rain Barrels Through Annual Program
• Greek Government Issues Landmark Ministerial Order Addressing Citizenship of Greek-born adoptees
• Boston: Bridging the Digital Divide by Embedding Digital Skills in Workforce Development

Dr. Taveras brings a wealth of experience to her new role as chairperson. She currently serves as the inaugural Chief Community Health and Equity Officer and Executive Director of the Kraft Center for Community Health at Mass General Brigham. In addition to being a pediatrician at Mass General for Children, she is also a professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her expertise in community health, implementation science, childhood obesity, maternal-child health, and health disparities has influenced national programs aimed at improving health outcomes for at-risk populations.

Expressing her gratitude for Mayor Wu's decision to appoint her as chairperson, Dr. Taveras stated that she is deeply honored and looks forward to continuing her work with the Board of Health and BPHC towards creating a healthier Boston for all its residents.

McLaren, who currently serves as the CEO of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, brings a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership to his new role on the board. He has previously served as the President of Carney Hospital and CEO of Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center. His early career also includes working at the Boston Public Health Commission, where he helped establish the Father Friendly Initiative, a program aimed at supporting fathers in becoming more involved with their families and communities.

More on Boston Chron

• Baltimore Author Crafts Space Opera Where Human Questions Outshine Galactic Scale
• Stout Surpasses 60,000 Acres and 3 Billion Plants Scanned
• OpsVeda Announces Launch of TariffSight, the World's First Comprehensive Platform to Address Tariff-Driven Challenges
• MAJOR New release of Krypto500 (ELF-HF) Sigint - COMINT software
• New Build-to-Suit VA Medical Office Facility Coming to Highland Heights, KY

McLaren expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Board of Health and contributing to its important role in creating equitable access to healthcare for all residents of Boston. He sees this as an opportunity to serve his community and make a positive impact.

The Board of Health plays a crucial role in helping BPHC achieve its health goals for the city. Throughout its history, BPHC has relied on the leadership and guidance provided by the board in policy development and oversight functions. This support is particularly important as BPHC works towards eliminating health inequities, strengthening mental and behavioral health interventions, and responding to emerging challenges.

BPHC is the oldest health department in the country and envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy and fulfilling lives. In partnership with communities, BPHC works towards protecting and promoting the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. To learn more about their work, visit boston.gov/bphc.

---

Show All News | Report Violation