Skip to main content

The People of LCHC

At Lynn Community Health Center, our teams are passionate about removing barriers to care for our patients. Over half of LCHC’s 650+ staff live in Lynn, and over half of our board members receive care through one or more of our services. We work closely with over 100 community partner organizations in Lynn. This collaborative commitment, combined with the support of our donors and our Board, enables us to provide high-quality care to everyone in our neighborhoods.

Become part of our team!

At Lynn Community Health Center we are always looking for new talented, compassionate people to join our team and help us make our community a better place.

Join Our Team

Our Senior Leadership Team

We believe in dedicated, forward-thinking leadership that is grounded in our local community. Together, our senior leadership team’s diverse experiences and strategic problem-solving steadily guides our organization into the future of community health.

Dr. Carlos Cappas
Chief Behavioral Health Officer

Carlos F. Cappas, PsyD, MBA

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.
Elena Freydin
Chief Compliance Officer

Elena Freydin, DNP

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
Chief of Staff, Interim Chief People Officer

Meaghen Hamill

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.
Sam O'Neil
Chief Business Transformation Officer

Sam O'Neil

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.
Geoff
Chief Medical Officer

Geoff Pechinsky, MD

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
Chief Executive Officer

Brenda Rodriguez, MBA

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
Chief Financial Officer

Ryan Sullivan, NP

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.

Our Board of Directors

Just as each patient is unique, so is every community. To ensure that we are responding directly to the needs of those we serve, more than half of Lynn Community Health Center’s Board of Directors are active patients and all live or work in our community. They not only provide direct consumer feedback, but give voice to our diverse community.

Kirirath AJ Saing

Kirirath “AJ” Saing

Board Member - Chair

Drew Russo

Drew Russo

Board Member - Vice Chair

Florance Guerrier

Florance Guerrier

Board Member - Secretary

Lisa Carbone

Lisa Carbone

Board Member - Treasurer

Eliud Alcala

Eliud Alcala

Board Member

Rachel Pohl

Rachel Pohl

Board Member

Vicky Pulos

Vicky Pulos

Board Member

LCHC logo

Maria Rivera

Board Member

LCHC logo

Lori Vinci

Board Member

Maria Rivera

Board Member

Bio coming soon!

James (Jim) Heffernan

Board Member

James (Jim) Heffernan, he/him has been a resident lived on the North Shore since 1995. He and his late wife Kathleen have volunteered on many community activities including food banks in Lynn. Jim was a member of the building committee for the Masconomet Regional School Jr and Sr high school buildings. Jim coached high school club and town teams and led high school service projects to Virginia, West Virginia, New Orleans, Ecuador, and Boston.

Jim retired recently from the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization where he was the CFO for nearly 25 years. He was part of the planning committee for the Mass General Brigham facilities at Endicott Road where he was directly involved in the planning and financing the medical office building. Prior to returning to Massachusetts in 1995, he serviced as the chief financial officer or chief operating officer of hospitals in Cleveland. He helped lead numerous innovations for prospective payment of hospitals and physician practices. He led collaborations with local community agencies to serve the communities on both the east and west side of Cleveland, where he helped merge several community development organizations that served overlapping areas. From there he helped establish a corporation to redevelop an office building into medical office building serving for the community and a unique church sponsored medical office using block grant financing.

Jim graduated from Boston University where he received his BA in Chemistry and Biology. He earned his MBA focusing in healthcare and finance at Cornell University. Jim is an active member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and received the Morgan Award, its highest individual achievement award in 2023. Jim is an active lecturer on health care finance topics at local universities and co-developed the health finance course for Harvard Medical School’s degree programs. He has co-authored numerous articles on healthcare finance. He has mentored post graduate fellows for universities in Boston and Cleveland and championed the establishment of an MGPO finance fellowship.

In the mid-1980s he began to advocate to end domestic violence and sexual abuse serving on boards and advisory committees including Templum House in Cleveland and JDI the Massachusetts Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse where he serves as treasurer.

He is proud of his 3 children and their spouses and always looks forward to being with 9 grandchildren.

Thomas “Doc” Daugherty

Board Member

Doc Daugherty joined the Eastern Bank Foundation in 2022 as Volunteer Engagement Director, after serving in Eastern Bank’s Retail Division for more than 10 years as Vice President/Branch Manager for the Central Street Lowell, MA branch. He is consistently one of Eastern’s top 20 employee volunteers and devotes his volunteer time in many ways; from organizing holiday card drives for military service members and families, to teaching financial literacy, to serving as a Board Member. He participates on the boards of The Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Project Learn, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Acre Family Day Care, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, and the International Institute of Lowell. Internally at Eastern, Doc is also a member of several of our Employee Networks. As Volunteer Engagement Director, Doc oversees employee volunteerism and ongoing relationship building with community partners, as well as our Matching Gift program.

Sunil Gulab

Board Member

Sunil Gulab is a 48 year old immigrant from Zimbabwe.  He moved to the USA in 1992 to attend University to study the sciences.  He last attended Boston College attaining an MBA, specializing in management.  He has been a resident of Lynn for close to 20 years, and is currently a landlord, managing residential buildings and an aspiring fine artist.  He is involved in improving the city of Lynn in many ways including organizing Lynns now Annual Summer Arts Festivals.  He is also a board member of the Essex County Community Foundations NextGen, which tries to alleviate food insecurity in the region.

Lori Vinci

Board Member

Lori is a seasoned educator/administrator who has experience in the community college system in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the private sector.  Lori is the Dean of Health Professions and Human Services at North Shore Community College.  Prior, Lori served as the Chair of the Allied Health Sciences Department at Manchester Community College. In her role, Lori led a diverse array of academic programs, curriculum development, program review and external accreditation. Lori’s work also included college-wide initiatives surrounding student success.  In addition to her Chair role, Lori also served as the NECHE Accreditation Liaison Officer and Co-Chair for the college’s decennial re-accreditation in the fall of 2017.  

 

Prior to joining MCC, Lori was a faculty member at Northern Essex Community College in the Medical Assistant Program where she facilitated the increase in the program’s completion rate and acquired a number of new practicums. Before joining NECC, Lori’s career in higher education began at Bay State College, in her tenure, her role ranged from faculty, advisor, curriculum and program developer, chair, director to enrollment management.

Natasha Soolkin

Board Member

Bio coming soon.

Norris Guscott

Board Member

Bio coming soon.

Edward Besozzi

Board Member

Bio coming soon.

Rachel Pohl

Board Member

Rachel Pohl offers expertise in strategy consulting and philanthropy to foundations, individuals, and nonprofits in the digital equity, workforce and health sectors. Early on, she developed a passion for health access and economic opportunity accompanying her father and grandfather, both doctors, who provided health care services in western Pennsylvania’s small rural coal mining communities and industrial towns. Most recently, Rachel supported the FQHC Telehealth Consortium, (https://fqhctelehealth.org), a network of over 90% of the Massachusetts federally qualified health centers, building innovation and infrastructure for technology use and digital equity.  Currently, she is consulting with regional institutions and sectoral leaders focused on digital equity and health partnerships as well as municipal and state digital equity planning in Massachusetts.  She serves on the board and finance committee of the Lynn Community Health Center.  Rachel and her husband live in Beverly, MA, and raised two sons there.  She loves being outdoors anytime, anywhere.

Sean Lobdell

Board Member

Bio coming soon.

Laura Gallant

Board Member

Bio coming soon.

Frances Martinez

Board Member

Frances Martinez (She-Her-Ella) born in New York NY from Dominican parents, President Founder CEO of the North Shore Latino Business Association / Center. A “Charismatic Leader” as her Boston University professors identified her / “the glue that keeps her community together” State officials identified her by. The NSLBA is a private non-profit organization established 2011 one of the most active association on the basis of active membership and overall. The NSLBA serves as the voice for the Latin businesses and professionals, advocating for opportunities that set them at a higher level. Providing quality workshops, high top events, innovative programs and services and useful and tangible resources that enhance business growth. www.mynslba.com The NSLBA 12 years after counts with over 700 business/professional members. Dedicated since early 1990’s on assisting the needs of the immigrant community specifically Latinos families. A natural visionary with grass root ideas to secure wisely and guidance youths and their families to the right route to involve and engage to a better future. Mother, wife, professional Latina with an optimistic spirit that overcomes barriers without limitations.

Florance Guerrier

Board Member – Secretary

Flo Guerrier MSN RN has been a member of the LCHC Board of Directors since 2016.  Flo was first introduced to LCHC when she worked at the front desk of LCHC Dental Office during nursing school.

Flo is an experienced RN currently working as an Admissions Liaison for Care Dimensions hospice agency.  Flo also served the Lynn community while working for GLSS in a previous role. Flo has experience in roles within management, leadership, human resources, infection control, hospice & community health.  Flo is passionate about educating and advocating for healthcare consumers.

Flo received a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from Boston University, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from North Shore Community College, and a Master of Science in Nursing in Teaching & Learning from MCPHS University.

Flo is proud of what LCHC continues to do and how it serves the community of Lynn.

Jobeth Williams

Board Member

All the way from the sunny coast of Los Angeles, California, Jobeth has come to the north shore and made it her home. She attended Salem State University where she studied Media and Communication. Currently, Jobeth works for The Procopio Companies, a locally based real estate development firm. She serves on the board of The Lynn Community Health Center as well as The Affordable Housing Associates of Lynn. Driven by her passions for development and public health, Jobeth continues to be an active and dedicated member of the community.

Marilyn Smith

Board Member

Born in Yorkshire, England, Marilyn received a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Post Graduate Certificate in Education from University of Oxford, England. She worked as a Math teacher until moving to the US with her husband, Raymond, in 1974.

Marilyn held positions as a research associate at both UC San Francisco and Harvard School of Public Health before returning to the UK in 1978 where she taught for two years in Cardiff, Wales, UK, followed by two years in Miami, Florida.

Upon moving to Marblehead where she put down roots with her husband and two children, Marilyn spent the following years volunteering in various schools in town, holding several leadership positions, and ardently supporting public education. In addition, she held leadership positions at Old North Church, including Chair of the Board of Trustees, and most recently served on the Festival Chorus Committee. Singing in the choir is a favorite activity for Marilyn.

In 1992 Marylin joined the LCHC Development Committee. From there she joined the Board, and served most recently as Chair of the Development Committee. Marilyn also serves on the Board of Element Care.

Marilyn and her husband greatly enjoy traveling the United States and internationally.

Drew Russo

Board Member – Vice President

A Lynn native, Drew Russo currently serves as Personnel Director for the City of Lynn, where he’s been charged with growing a modern Human Resources department that best serves the municipality and its nearly 700 employees. Previously, Drew served four years as Executive Director of the Lynn Museum/LynnArts organization, directed in-district operations for former U.S. Representative John Tierney, managed then-State Senator Thomas McGee’s successful campaign for re-election in 2010, and served as Assistant Director of Advancement at St. Mary’s High School, whose campus is located in the heart of downtown Lynn. After graduating St. Michael’s College, he served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps working as a case manager in Detroit, Michigan. Drew lives in Lynn with his wife Patricia Ridge and is a proud patient and board member of the Lynn Community Health Center.

Nelson Woodfork

Board Member

Nelson was born in Cambridge and raised in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he became a leader at a young age, elected President of his Senior High School Class. He went on to attend Hamilton College in New York and then joined the Peace Corps where he trained in Hawaii and served in the Philippines. After returning home from the Peace Corps, Nelson followed in his father’s footsteps by attending Boston University and receiving a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Nelson is married with four children, three sons and one daughter, two of whom are adopted. He has dedicated his life’s work for 40+ years to improving child welfare both for the state (Department of Social Services) and in the private sector. Currently, Nelson enjoys driving the elderly to medical appointments, and serving on several boards including LCHC.

Lisa Carbone

Board Member – Treasurer

Lisa Carbone is a long-time resident of the North Shore, where she is an active in a number of community, civic and non-profit organizations.

Lisa is a member of the Lynn Community Health Center Board of Directors where she serves on the Finance Committee and Chairs the Audit Committee. She has served as Past Chairperson of the North Shore Cancer Walk, on the Cancer Walk/Gourmet Gala Advisory Committee, and as a member of the North Shore Medical Center’s Board of Overseers. She has also previously served as Chairperson and Trustee of Marian Court College, Vice President and Director of North Shore Elder Services, President and Director of the Swampscott Rotary Club, and board member of the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to serving on the LCHC Board, Lisa is a Trustee at Mass General Brigham-Salem Hospital, where she is a member of the Development Committee, a Trustee of North Shore Physician’s Group, and serves as a Corporator of Massachusetts General Brigham. Ms. Carbone is a Paul Harris Fellow.

Lisa has spent her career in banking with over thirty years in various leadership roles at Eastern Bank, and most recently at Salem Five as Senior Vice President, Director of Cash Management & Commercial Services. She has been acknowledged with a variety of sales and service awards and she is a past recipient of the Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award. Lisa holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from Babson College and is a graduate of the Retail Banking School at the University of Virginia.

Although she originally hails from Rhode Island, Lisa has made the North Shore home since graduating from college. She and her fiancé, Robert Ginsberg, live in Swampscott.

Ron Mendes

Board Member

Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts to a Portuguese-American immigrant family, Ron received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Denver, Denver, CO in 1990, and a Juris Doctor from the Massachusetts School of Law in 2005. Ron has been a licensed Attorney at Law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since June 2006 and has largely worked in public service in several capacities. Currently he is serving as City Treasurer/Collector for the City of Newton, Massachusetts and has been in this role since 2021. His responsibilities include leading all financial and cash operations of municipal government. He is certified as a Massachusetts Municipal Treasurer and a Massachusetts Certified Public Procurement Official. Ron has also served in various volunteer capacities, including as board member & treasurer for the Lynn Community Health Center, a past board member of the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, and a past Associate Member of the Lynn Zoning Board of Appeals.

Kirirath Saing (“AJ”)

Board Member – President

Kirirath Saing is a Multicultural Program Specialist for Element Care which is a non-profit, healthcare organization with a simple mission: to help people live safely and comfortably in their homes and their communities for as long as they can, keeping their stays in hospitals and nursing facilities as minimal as possible. Element Care provides complete health care to eligible people through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.

Eliud Alcala

Board Member

Eliud Alcala was born and raised in the Bronx, New York City. After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Eliud moved to Massachusetts to obtain employment in the Hospitality Industry, North of Boston. Aside from the Hospitality Industry, Eliud worked in Human Services as a Human Resources Generalist as well as a Live-In Staff member for a non-profit organization that assists individuals with intellectual distress in the North Shore. After nearly a decade working in the non-profit sector, Eliud returned to his roots in Hospitality as Human Resource Manager for a Hilton Hotel, in Danvers, MA In 2015, Eliud joined the Massachusetts Executive Office of Workforce Development as a Business Engagement Professional serving Business in the North Shore. Eliud has completed his degrees in Masters and Doctorate in Family Counseling.

Victoria Pulos

Board Member

Victoria Pulos is a senior health law attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), a nonprofit statewide legal services support center committed to promoting social and economic justice through advocacy, education, and legal action. Her work concentrates on assuring immigrants, people with disabilities, and other low-income people access to health care through policy advocacy, community education, technical support, and litigation. Her publications include a MassHealth Advocacy Guide and articles on Massachusetts’ health reform law. Prior to joining MLRI she managed children’s health work at Families USA in Washington D.C and before that practiced poverty law at New Hampshire Legal Assistance. She received both her law degree and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.

You can request medical and behavioral health appointments in MyChart!

If you are having trouble with MyChart or are requesting a different kind of appointment, you can fill out this form and our Patient Ambassadors will contact you.

Request an Appointment
Name
Name