The People of LCHC

Carlos is the Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Lynn Community Health Center and a practicing behavioral health clinician in pediatrics. As a clinician, Dr. Cappas has helped implement behavioral health integration programs at Federally Qualified Community Health Centers and independent primary care practices. As a quality improvement consultant, he has led multiple initiatives focused on integrated care at Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Physicians’ Organization and the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership. Carlos continues his work at Lynn Community Health Center by further developing its behavioral health services through clinical and operational integration, adoption of integrated telehealth services, and the expansion of a behavioral health workforce pipeline aimed at recruiting and retaining professionals in community-based settings. In alignment with his work in primary care and behavioral health integration, Carlos’ clinical interest also centers on the impact of integrated care in enhancing access to behavioral health services for low-income populations. Dr. Cappas is also a member of the Health Equity Compact, a statewide coalition seeking the advancement of health equity and just health outcomes in Massachusetts through transformational legislation, budget, and advocacy efforts. A native of Puerto Rico, Carlos received his doctoral degree from Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico and is a graduate of the UMass Chan Medical School’s Fellowship in Clinical Health Psychology in Primary Care. He also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from UMass Boston.

Dr. Elena L. Freydin has been working at Lynn Community Health Center in several clinical, administrative and leadership positions since 2004. Elena was born in the former Soviet Union and moved to the United States when she was 13 years old. Trained as an adult nurse practitioner, Elena received a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University, and Masters of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from MGH Institute of Health Professions. In addition to her leadership and clinical responsibilities, Elena is an adjunct faculty at Salem State University Graduate School of Nursing. She is passionate about improving healthcare access in underserved communities, and providing care with dignity and respect.

Meaghen Hamill is responsible for supporting the Chief Executive Officer with managing and building external relationships including liaising between LCHC and community and government partners; assisting with streamlining and alignment of internal communications; and elevating LCHC’s mission, vision, values and goals both internally and within the greater Lynn community. Meaghen’s role as a member of the Senior Leadership team also includes LCHC Board of Directors relations; overseeing the Marketing and Communications, Development, and Grants Departments; and coordinating a significant and always varying set of large and small interdependent initiatives.
Prior to joining Lynn Community Health Center, Meaghen’s career focused on policy and community relations in the public sector. She held a variety of strategic leadership positions representing the City of Lynn and the 3rd Essex District in the State Legislature and Mayor’s Office, including as a Senior Advisor to Mayor Jared Nicholson and his team during their transition into office at the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022. Her comprehensive knowledge of the office’s extensive responsibilities and of the City of Lynn (diverse population of 100,000 people) were honed during her time as the prior administration’s Chief of Staff, serving directly as a trusted advisor of Mayor Emeritus Tom McGee.
As former Mayor McGee’s Chief of Staff, Meaghen worked closely with LCHC during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and specifically as LCHC’s operational partner within the City of Lynn to launch and maintain a Mass Vaccination Site during 2021. That partnership revealed to her LCHC’s foundation as a social justice institution that strives to ensure equitable care in the City of Lynn, and upon completion of her prior role, Meaghen sought an opportunity to join LCHC in furthering this mission.
Meaghen is a lifelong Lynn resident and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, with a minor in Communications from Boston University.

Samantha brings over a decade of dedicated service to Lynn Community Health Center, starting as a receptionist in 2009 and advancing through various roles. Her comprehensive understanding of LCHC’s systems is pivotal in her position as Chief Business Transformation Officer. Committed to the Health Center’s mission, Samantha pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at UMASS Lowell, complemented by a Certificate in Health Center Management from the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and Suffolk University.
As a proud Lynn native, Samantha is deeply invested in contributing to the community that nurtured her. Her early involvement in local community service left an indelible mark on her. Over the course of her career, Samantha has spearheaded numerous continuous improvement initiatives, strategically enhancing operational processes to align with organizational priorities.

Dr. Geoffrey Pechinsky has been the Chief Medical Officer at LCHC since July 2018. He was born and raised in the North Shore and grew up just a few miles from LCHC. Volunteering for a college summer at a health clinic that took care of uninsured patients and migrant workers inspired Dr. Pechinsky to pursue a medical career to serve populations lacking equitable access to healthcare. He trained at the first community health center-sponsored residency in the United States, in family medicine, so he could take care of patients at times of need throughout their lives. Dr. Pechinsky practiced full spectrum family medicine for 18 years and taught residents as a faculty member at two residency programs before taking the role of CMO. His current practice mainly serves patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs, and he loves seeing patients at LCHC.
Dr. Pechinsky’s leadership journey started in the US Navy, when he served in various leadership roles both stateside and overseas, including a deployment during Operation Enduring Freedom. He has a passion for servant leadership and mentoring new leaders. Dr. Pechinsky received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his MD from Boston University School of Medicine. Away from work, he can be found at any number of rinks or fields cheering on his three children.

Brenda Rodriguez is an accomplished healthcare executive with a diverse and progressive career. She has served over 10 years in community health centers, most recently in Lowell as their Chief Strategy and Financial Officer, successfully instituting growth strategies and equitable healthcare practices. She drives success through collaborative leadership and inclusion. Prior to her work in community health, Brenda led financial and operating practices in education and media firms and began her professional career at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
As a lifelong FQHC patient, Brenda brings a passion for comprehensive, patient centered care to our Lynn community.
Brenda holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University.

Ryan Sullivan holds more than 20 years of experience in healthcare. Previously Ryan held positions within Massachusetts General Hospital that included planning and opening new buildings, director-level financial management, and, most recently, as the Administrative Director for their Center for Genomic Medicine, requiring comprehensive responsibilities encompassing strategic and financial management, human resources, compliance, safety, facilities, and operational leadership. He is also a Family Nurse Practitioner who continues his clinical practice at Lynn Community Health Center. Ryan earned his BS in Biochemistry from Merrimack College, an MBA from Suffolk University, MS in Nursing from Boston College, and an MS in Clinical Operations from Harvard Medical School.