Meghan Peterson (she/her) DOHMH
Position: President
Division: Disease Control/BHHS
Bio:
In addition to serving as a local shop steward, I work on implementation science projects to improve patient care in Ryan White Part A services. I have also designed “deliberative democracy” experiments to give patients a vote on how their mandatorily reported HIV laboratory result data are used in our work. Before joining the health department, I worked on clinical trials and research to document the harms of the US carceral system. I also have experience in overdose prevention, pro se asylum mutual aid, and tenant rights. I was an organizer on Brown University’s successful graduate student employee union drive in 2019. I grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts.
How long have you been in the agency?
3 years
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for President because I want a union that is organized in large numbers for working-class power. We can't win a better public sector without actively calling on the knowledge and expertise of every single one of our members. My favorite thing about being a shop steward is getting to talk to you all. I always learn something new. Our rank and file have institutional knowledge and innovative ideas on how to fix this system. It is a joy to know so many mission-driven individuals who work in this field because they genuinely want to serve New Yorkers. I want to continue to leverage our members' brilliance, perseverance, and humor.
What are your goals for this role?
My vision is for a democratic, inclusive, and activist local that fights for our members. To this end, my goals are to (a) lead discussion-based member meetings and delegate power as much as possible, (b) use a "one member, one vote" ethos for decision-making, (c) empower shop stewards and rank and file to lead grassroots membership engagement, (d) spearhead policies that fight for competitive wages, benefits, remote work and against privatization, and (e) build coalitions with stakeholders across our workplaces and communities (e.g. employee resource group leaders, patient activist groups, community-based organizations).
Fun fact about you
I like walking in the park, community gardening, making art, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family/friends/cat.
Paul Brown (he/him) DOHMH
Position: Vice President
Division: CHECW/Bureau of Equitable Health Systems
Bio:
I grew up in Arizona but have been living in NYC for the past 10 years and have had the honor to work at DOHMH for over 7 of them. I'm a Data Analyst in the Office of Health Care Access and Policy where I do research and and evaluation on a range of topics related to health care access and insurance coverage. I also serve as one of your local's trusty Trustees!
How long have you been in the agency?
7.5 years
Why are you running for this position?
I'm running to be your vice president because I want to help foster a more open, democratic and proactive local. I want to see our members' values reflected in the decisions the executive board makes, and I want to empower the rank and file to fight for their needs as workers and beyond - the local's power comes from YOU, the members.
What are your goals for this role?
As Vice President, I hope to support the President and the entire Executive Board in making pro-rank and file decisions. I want to make our member meetings more accessible and amenable to member involvement. I want to bring more transparency around how decisions are made in both our executive board and at the DC37 level. Finally, I want to have a HOLIDAY PARTY every year... Local 3005 deserves to be rewarded for all their had work!
Fun fact about you
When I'm not analyzing data or trustee-ing, I like to cook, ride my bike, play the piano, spend time with my cats Leila and Gracie and enjoy a craft cocktail. Fun fact about me: I once modeled for a sparkling water brand — as of this writing I'm still on their website!
Jonah Bautista (he/him) DOHMH
Position: Secretary
Division: COO/Strategic Operations and Performance Management
Bio:
I've lived in New York City for 10.5 years and have worked for city agencies for most of that time. Working for local government is important to me because I feel surrounded by colleagues who are community-minded and service-oriented. I'm inspired by their work and want to dedicate effort to supporting them through our union. In the Office of the COO, I work as a Data Engineering Specialist.
How long have you been in the agency?
2.5 years
Why are you running for this position?
I want to dedicate more of my free time to supporting an organization whose purpose is reclaiming the power of labor. I have energy and enthusiasm to spare and want to spend it working for my colleagues.
What are your goals for this role?
As secretary, my goal is to support the local by ensuring that records of our proceedings and membership are detailed, accurate, and widely available on a timely basis. My career has been built on strong data management skills and I will bring that experience and expertise to this role.
Fun fact about you
Take walks, dance, spend time in parks
Amara Ross (she/her) DOHMH
Position: Treasurer
Division: Disease Control/Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV, and STI
Bio:
I'm a Maryland native and moved to Brooklyn from Indianapolis, IN in 2019 to join DOHMH. I'm the Senior Maven System Administrator in BHHS and have also served as a shop steward in Local 3005 since 2019.
How long have you been in the agency?
6 years
Why are you running for this position?
I'm running for treasurer to continue my service to this local and ensure its financial health and well-being. As treasurer I would work to ensure transparency with the local's finances. My previous experience was as treasurer for the senior class during undergrad.
What are your goals for this role?
My goals include providing support and transparency to the membership, and making sure members are aware of financial support programs available through the union
Fun fact about you
In my spare time I enjoy cycling, trying new restaurants, and aimlessly wandering NYC
Kate Klein (she/her) DOHMH
Position: DC37 Delegate
Division: Mental Hygiene/Bureau of Community Awareness, Action, Response, and Engagement (BCAARE)
Bio:
I grew up outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and I have lived in New York City for almost nine years. I am a Senior Data Analyst in BCAARE supporting a few different community mental health programs. I helped elect Paul Brown to trustee in the last election cycle and was part of the team that worked to pass the Local’s resolution supporting the divestment of NYCERS pension from all Israeli investments that fund and profit from the genocide in Palestine. Additionally, I have also been involved in various organizing projects throughout the years, from environmental student organizing in college to volunteering as an organizer for multiple city and state electoral campaigns.
How long have you been in the agency?
4 years
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running because I want to bring transparency, fluid communication, organizing power, and active advocacy to the position of DC 37 delegate for the Local. I will ensure members have the information they need to democratically debate our stance on topics that are before the delegate body for a vote, and I will actively organize and advocate for those positions within the delegate body. Members *are* the union, and I want to ensure every rank and file member of 3005 sees their membership as full of potential and power.
What are your goals for this role?
I will 1) ensure membership is thoroughly informed about delegate body votes in a timely manner; 2) actively advocate on behalf of members’ priorities during delegate discussion and votes; 3) help illuminate new opportunities for rank and file members to shape our union’s decision making; 4) organize with other delegates around our common interests.
Fun fact about you
A favorite longtime hobby of mine is sewing clothing. I also co-manage the DOHMH softball team which is part of the NYC Government Softball League!
Cristina Rodriguez-Hart (she/her) DOHMH
Position: DC37 Delegate
Division: Disease Control/BHHS
Bio:
I grew up in a working class neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA and got my MPH at UCLA and my PhD in public health at Johns Hopkins. I currently live in Sunnyside, Queens, and I’m a Senior Research Scientist in the HIV Care and Treatment Program of the Health Department. I manage a team of 7 epidemiologists that assess if populations most impacted by HIV are being equitably served and whether their health improves as a result of participating in our health-related programs. Public service is critical to me and is the reason why I have chosen to work in public health agencies for most of my career. Outside of work, I carry out community organizing projects, including that I assist tenants in forming their own tenant associations with neighbors in their buildings in order to fight for better living conditions from landlords that are neglecting their buildings. Tenant organizing and other social justice initiatives are very important to me.
How long have you been in the agency?
8 years
Why are you running for this position?
From what I have experienced, the current leadership of Local 3005 does not work hard to create a local that is democratic, transparent, or member-run. Decisions are made top-down. We know very little about what DC37 leadership are working towards at any given time. Members of 3005 need greater say in what our union is fighting for legislatively and otherwise, especially in this time of attack by the federal government. We should be fighting to undue the harms of past NY legislators who pushed small annual raises on us and who created a Tier 6 that has fewer benefits than earlier tiers. Unfortunately, I don’t think our Local’s leadership is up for that fight. As someone who puts my skills to work not just in my job, but also across communities in NYC, I'm a fighter, I’m strategic, and I have the basic organizing skills to build person-to-person power, which is what you want a Delegate to do.
What are your goals for this role?
I will be attending monthly DC37 Political Action Committee meetings, elevating the issues that Local 3005 members feel are most important. I will coordinate this work with the rest of the Local 3005 officers and Delegates as well, and I will bring this information back to 3005 members in ways that foster open discussion and decision-making. I will be here to help members think strategically about how we empower this union to take on campaigns and policy positions that are in the best interests of members and our loved ones and neighbors in our communities. Those decisions should be made democratically among members and not solely by DC37 leadership. We should all be able to vote on these decisions and to have multiple thriving 3005 committees that are shaping our progress. We currently do not have that in 3005, but we can! I will also be relationship building with other locals within DC37 so that rank-and-file members have a seat at the table with DC37 executive leadership.
Fun fact about you
I like to take really long walks through different NYC neighborhoods
Grace Mackson (they/them) DOHMH
Position: DC37 Delegate
Division: DIS/BHHS
Bio:
I grew up in Michigan, lived in LA, and ended up in NYC! I currently work as an evaluation specialist - doing research and evaluation for our HIV care and treatment program. I don't currently have a union role.
How long have you been in the agency?
4 years
Why are you running for this position?
I want to be involved in the union that represents me and my needs as a public sector employee. I feel strongly that every worker for the city should have a voice and I want to help provide one where I can.
What are your goals for this role?
I want to make sure that everyone feels heard and represented in union decisions
Fun fact about you
I love to read, both fiction and non but my biggest love is fiction. I also enjoy learning new languages - this last year I've studied Spanish and Arabic.
Quinn Hood (he/him) DOHMH
Position: Executive Board Member
Division: Mental Hygiene / Bureau of Health Promotion for Justice-Impacted Populations
Bio:
My name is Quinn Hood and I’m a research associate at DOHMH. My work focuses on the negative impacts of the criminal legal system and on supporting a program for people recently returning home from incarceration. I’m currently a shop steward for Local 3005.
How long have you been in the agency?
2 years
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running for member at large because I believe in building a strong local that brings members together to fight for issues in the workplace and beyond. At a time when organized labor and public servants are under direct attack, it is crucial that we build a democratic union together that is capable of standing up to the threats that we face. I know that leadership alone cannot do that and I am running to ensure we provide spaces for members to get involved and work together towards our collective goals. I have been inspired by the large number of passionate and dedicated members we have within Local 3005 and want to continue to build something great together.
What are your goals for this role?
One of my goals in this role is to increase the presence of shop stewards at OCME and DOHMH and empower stewards to gather input from members and address their concerns. This will start with recruiting more members to be shop stewards but also improving the way that we communicate with members.
Fun fact about you
In my spare time you can find me in Prospect Park with my dogs, Ruthie and Perry, and my partner, Emily.
Rachel Suss (she/her) DOHMH
Position: Executive Board Member
Division: Mental Hygiene/Bureau of Mental Health
Bio:
I am a research analyst in the Bureau of Mental Health, where I work primarily on program evaluation and survey research.
How long have you been in the agency?
4 years
Why are you running for this position?
I love talking to my coworkers and making connections across the workplace. This role will help me continue to breakdown silos and strengthen our collective power to address issues that affect us all.
What are your goals for this role?
To build community within our workplace and bring more people's voices into decision making in the Local.
Fun fact about you
You can often find me at my local NYPL branch or running in central park. I love to read and have read at least a book a week for the past few years!
Sarah McKenney (she/her) DOHMH
Position: Executive Board Member
Division: Division of Disease Control / Bureau of Division Management and Systems Coordination (DMSC)
Bio:
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh (hello to my fellow Yinzers!) and moved to New York City to start my public health career at DOHMH. At DOHMH, I lead the Rapid Response Team, which supports the Division of Disease Control to build capacity to respond to public health emergencies. I previously worked in the Bureau of Hepatitis, STI, and HIV and the Bureau of Maternal, Infant, and Reproductive Health. I have been a DC37 member since 2016.
How long have you been in the agency?
11 years
Why are you running for this position?
I want to elevate the voices of all the diverse staff in our local.
What are your goals for this role?
To help our local meet the needs of rank and file staff.
Fun fact about you
If I'm not chasing around my toddler or my dog, I'm probably quilting, knitting, or traveling - or more realistically, sleeping.
Adeeba Khan (she/her) DOHMH
Position: Trustee
Division: BHHS
Bio:
I'm proud to say I'm born and raised in the Bronx. I'm a City Research Scientist working in the Viral Hepatitis Program at the NYC Health Department doing telephone navigation and community education.
How long have you been in the agency?
6 years
Why are you running for this position?
I'm looking to get more involved in the union and having our voices heard. I look forward to pushing member choices forward.
What are your goals for this role?
Creating transparency for members on ideas, movements, and actions.
Fun fact about you
I love to watch K-dramas and read WebToons :)