Amherst Public Health Director Named Commonwealth Heroine
Screen shot from Amherst Community Chat from 11/12/20, introducing Amherst's new Health Director Emma Dragon (bottom).Top Right, Town Communications Director Brianna Sunryd. Top Left, Town Manager Paul Bockelman. Photo: Twitter
Source: amherstma.gov
This month, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) announced the 2021 Commonwealth Heroine Award honorees. The annual awards recognize women across the Commonwealth for their extraordinary contributions to their local communities in public or community service. Amherst Public Health Director Emma Dragon was among this year’s awardees, nominated by State Representatives Mindy Domb and Daniel Carey.
As Amherst Public Health Director, Dragon has helped ensure the safety of in-person voting for the November election, as well as making sure the region’s homeless shelter was open for the season. Dragon set up a local vaccination program and has been enlisting, training, and scheduling medical volunteers. They launched one of the first mobile vaccination programs for homebound individuals and has been a strong advocate for additional COVID-19 related services to the community.
“We were thrilled to see Health Director Emma Dragon recognized with this award for all of their hard work and dedication since joining our team during the height of the pandemic,” said Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “They have been a true champion for the health and safety of the Amherst community.”
Dragon added, “While this award recognizes my efforts, it would not have been possible without our community and the entire Town of Amherst team supporting this important work.”
Dragon is a nurse, an EMT, has a graduate degree in Emergency Management, and has had a position on the Federal Disaster Health Management Team since 2009.
The awardees were honored in a celebration on June 23rd with remarks by Governor Baker, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, and more.
The MCSW is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The Commission provides a voice for Massachusetts women and is comprised of 19 members who are appointed by the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Caucus of Women Legislators. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/women