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2023 Board Candidate Profiles
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Michele Christensen | Erin Hottenstein | Rose Marion Lew | John Peter McKay | Mark Stiger | Averil Strand
Michele Christensen
Occupation: Chief Operating Officer for Housing Catalyst
Education: master's degree in social work, LCSW
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
The Health District plays a vital role in our community by delivering creative solutions to unmet needs. Accessing services continues to be a challenge. I would like the opportunity to work to identify and expand services where they are needed, adopt systematic changes, and find policy solutions.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
Working in social service organizations for 30 years has given me broad knowledge and understanding of the challenges people face when experiencing behavioral health and/or substance use disorders. I have built strong working relationships with local service providers and appreciate the collaborative spirit they bring to meeting community needs.
What do you hope to accomplish?
The health-care needs in our community continue to grow and change. I hope to help position the Health District to be a leader in identifying where gaps exist, and working with partners to fill the gaps so everyone has access to the health care and services they need to survive.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
The COVID pandemic has magnified the need for behavioral health and substance use treatment options. Timely access to receiving services has also become a growing crisis as we see a shortage in skilled providers to meet the demand. Navigating health-care systems is becoming more challenging as well.
Erin Hottenstein
Occupation: Consultant, Coach, and Trainer in Organizational and Leadership Development, Strategic Planning, and Communication
Education: bachelor of arts degree, along with professional certificates in change management, coaching, and training
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
It’s a critical time for the Health District. After 27 years, Executive Director Carol Plock retired in 2022. Her replacement was in the position for only six months. Other key leaders also departed. My expertise in leadership development and organizational management will help ensure the next transition goes smoothly.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
In my professional work, I focus on leadership development, team health, and change management. I coach executives on getting the best from themselves and their teams. I conduct workshops that align and accelerate teams on strategic plans. The board needs someone with this skill set to ensure a successful leadership transition.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Besides the above, I intend to become the best ambassador the board has ever had. Using my background in journalism and communications, I will educate our community about what the Health District does. I will do outreach personally by holding town halls and speaking at meetings across the district.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Access to health care—especially mental health. The pandemic has been brutal—with both children and adults experiencing more anxiety and depression. Sadly, I know this from personal experience, since my dad died by suicide in 2020. These issues motivate me to help the Executive Director and Health District succeed.
Rose Marion Lew
Occupation: Retired environmental scientist and nurse
Education: master's degree in public health (Johns Hopkins Univ.), master's degree in environmental science (Indiana Univ.), bachelor's degree in nursing (Univ. of Pennsylvania)
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
I want to use my knowledge and experience to address priority needs identified in the Health District’s 2022 Community Health Survey. My background in public health, nursing, environmental science, and public policy could help the Health District in solving current and evolving health care and public health needs.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
My interdisciplinary training, work, and personal experiences have given me a broad, evidence-based approach to community health. My nursing experiences, including as a CO Migrant Health Nurse, helped develop my empathy for others. At the U.S. EPA, I worked on diverse environmental and human health issues.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to use my understanding of the social, economic, and environmental determinants of public health, and my experience in health care and environmental health policy, to contribute to actions to improve community public health, health care access, and illness and accident prevention, including preparing for climate-related emergencies and disruptions.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
I think the most pressing health-related issue is to comprehensively integrate the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health to address the vast unmet mental and behavioral health needs of our youth and vulnerable populations, which affects their whole lives and the health and welfare of our communities.
John Peter McKay
Occupation: Health care
Education: master's degree in social work
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
I have been a Fort Collins resident since 2002. I believe that the Health District is uniquely positioned to support all who reside within the district. With coordinated leadership, I believe the Health District can be a leader in addressing the social determinants of health that impact us all.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
I have served as a social worker, behavioral health clinician, elementary assistant principal, high school principal, Director of Language, Culture and Equity with Poudre School District, and currently as Chief Culture Officer with SummitStone Health Partners. My call to action is serving under-represented and marginalized people.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Fort Collins is a caring, compassionate, and dedicated community primed and ready to serve those that need us most. I hope to help connect the dots within our community to utilize the expertise and resources of the Health District to collectively impact and address the needs of our community.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
We need children and youth behavioral health services. Care for women, veterans, and people of color is important. Developing support through a culturally inclusive and gender-affirming lens is essential to our community’s success. Social determinants of health are a moral imperative and an essential role of the Health District.
Mark Stiger
Occupation: Behavioral Health Director at Larimer County Jail
Education: master's degree in counseling
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
My experience in behavioral health and mental health work in the county prepares me with the knowledge to advocate for legislative measures and policy issues that benefit our community, as well as to advocate for individuals who often do not have a voice in health- and mental health-related issues.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
I have held the position of Director of Behavioral Health with Larimer County Jail since 2018. I have worked extensively in crisis services in the Fort Collins area, served as a board member with the IRB (Institutional Review Board) within UCHealth, and helped create the 8th Judicial District Competency Court.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to utilize my background in the behavioral health systems in Larimer County to offer experiential knowledge and insights to upcoming policies. I will advocate for fair and consistent services that affect our population and the individuals who comprise our community.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Mental and behavioral health services that serve our adults, adolescents, and children, as well as services that are available to those who are under-resourced. I hope to help our entire community have access to what they need, and the means to utilize those resources at the time they are needed.
Averil Strand
Occupation: Retired nurse and public health professional
Education: master's degree in nursing
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
As a retired public health professional, I have the time and community health knowledge needed to effectively contribute to the Health District’s mission of enhancing the health of our community. I have prior experience in community health assessment, and preventing disease, disability, and death through policy and systems work.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
I was the Larimer County Health Services Director for 50 years and managed programs for disease prevention, maternal-child health, the WIC nutrition program, the Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs, tobacco prevention, reproductive health services, and immunizations. I understand how policy and systems work can help promote wellness.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to help the Health District continue to effectively and efficiently use their resources to meet the health needs of the citizens of northern Larimer County.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Mental health and substance use issues continue to be a major need within our community. Prescription assistance and dental care are ongoing needs for the low-income population.