By Jamie Rhynd
Old High Street, Whitman
My name is Jamie Rhynd. I grew up in Whitman and moved back 14 years ago to raise my family and rejoin the community I loved as a child. I attended Whitman-Hanson and Regis College in Weston. For the past seven years I have been a practicing Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at a local primary care practice. Prior to that I worked several years in both Boston and community hospitals. I’ve also served as a college professor, substitute school nurse in Whitman, and mentor to students entering the field of nursing. As a healthcare professional I am passionate and committed to the important work of the Board of Health to safeguard the town’s health and environment. If elected I will advocate for services to promote health and well-being for all residents, particularly the most vulnerable members of our community, including children and seniors.
As a pediatric nurse practitioner and parent, I have seen first-hand the impact social isolation and societal disruption secondary to the Covid-19 pandemic has had on children and teens. The
Board of Health has a responsibility to work with the health department and other town leaders to advocate for expanded mental health resources and services. As we move into the next phase of this pandemic, communication with our residents will be even more important and the Board of Health will need to be proactive in its strategies. Effective communication is a fundamental skill for public servants and one I have the chance to utilize on a daily basis when explaining complicated medical information and transmitting advice in a manner that can be easily understood and adhered to.
I believe my qualifications as a Nurse Practitioner and my first-hand knowledge of disease transmission and infection control makes me uniquely qualified to serve on the Board of Health. I am passionate about leveraging my skills to help others, and if fortunate enough to become a member of the Board of Health, I will be able to expand my ability to make a positive impact in our great community. I humbly ask for your vote and support on May 21.
[Editor’s note: Jamie Rhynd submitted this announcement several days ago, but it was lost somewhere in email bulk mail filters, so we post it online now.]