2022 Candidate Profiles
Running for 3-year term:
Brian Ferrans | Julie Kunce Field | Johanna Ulloa Girón | Molly Gutilla | Nicole "Coco" Peterson | Joseph W. Prows
Running for 1-year term:
Erin Hottenstein | Ann K. Yanagi
RUNNING FOR 3-YEAR TERM:
Brian Ferrans
Age: 37
Occupation: Community Risk Reduction & Outreach Manager, Poudre Fire Authority
Education: MSc in Criminal Justice
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
I would like the opportunity to help move the Health District forward in ensuring that its health services are innovative and truly responsive to the community's needs, as well as to raise awareness about the importance and potential of this unique asset for northern Larimer County.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
As the former Director of the Health District's Community Impact Team, I have extensive knowledge about the existing unmet health needs in our community, the unique budget opportunities and challenges for a special tax district, and have worked successfully with a wide range of local community partners to implement health initiatives across the district.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I would like to help the Health District more efficiently utilize its tax-funded budget to deliver health services that are innovative and more responsive to the needs of the whole community, as well as to ensure that this community asset and its programs are better informed by its residents, community partners, and Health District staff.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Mental health and rising substance use continue to be one of our most complex and pervasive health issues facing Larimer County, which have unfortunately been exacerbated in both prevalence and severity since the start of the pandemic. We also need to ensure that health care is affordable and accessible to everyone.
Julie Kunce Field
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired District Court Judge/Attorney/Mediator
Education: BA, JD
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
As a District Court Judge for over 10 years, I saw the devastation that lack of health care, particularly mental health and substance abuse care, can have on individuals in our community. As a member of the Board of Directors, I want to work to address those gaps and improve the health of all individuals in our district.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
When I was a judge, I started the Wellness Court and oversaw it for seven years. That court provided a team/problem solving approach to help individuals who have mental health challenges. I am passionate about ensuring that people receive appropriate treatment, and are treated with dignity, no matter their status, or mental health, or other challenges.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to ensure that any gaps in services are filled in our community, particularly those related to often-overlooked care, which includes mental health, substance use, dental care, and youth support. We have a lot of resources in our district, and we need to ensure that those resources are getting to the people who need them in a timely, cost-effective way.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
People have suffered, and continue to suffer, with the pandemic, but not only with that recent event. So many people in our community face health challenges that can be addressed with the right resources. Many do not know about what is offered, and what can be done to reduce harm from chronic issues, including mental health and substance use. Ensuring that all of our community resources are working in concert and that the myriad health needs of citizens are met is the most pressing health-related issue now.
Johanna Ulloa Girón
Age: 42
Occupation: Advocacy Program Manager
Education: Master of Social Work and Master of Psychology
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
I am running for the Board of the Health District due to my deep commitment to health equity, my desire to continue elevating and centering the voices of traditionally marginalized communities, and my deep passion toward civic engagement. I am uniquely positioned to provide the Health District with the support needed through the transitions it is undertaking.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
I have extensive experience working in communities using a participatory community approach. I have supervised community-based clinical programs both in the United States and Latin America. Currently, I manage a community strategy statewide that supports health equity and oversees a 21 million dollar budget. I am considered by many a trusted community member who collaborates with many organizations, nonprofits, and government entities for the betterment of the community.
What do you hope to accomplish?
As an incumbent and experienced board member I hope to provide consistent leadership to successfully onboard the new Executive Director, to support decision-making processes that increase access and provision of services to marginalized communities, to continue centering and elevating equitable processes at the board level, and to support new Executive Director to steering the Health District in becoming a healthy and joyful place to work.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Lack of provision or access to health services for traditionally marginalized communities including people that live in rural areas. The lack of equitable processes when making community decisions concerning health creates desert areas for the provision of affordable services, culturally attuned programs, and successful dissemination of information.
Molly Gutilla
Age: 43
Occupation: Assistant Professor of Public Health at CSU
Education: BS, MS, DrPH
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
For the past four years, I have worked to deepen the impact of the unique and valuable resource of the Health District of Northern Larimer County and will continue this work in our community. As an incumbent and experienced board member, I will support the new director and services in response to evolving community priorities.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
For over a decade I have worked as a public health practitioner and professor. I bring perspective and expertise in applying community data to program development for improved health outcomes for all. As the organization transitions leadership and refines its work, having an epidemiologist on the board will be beneficial.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Priorities in my second term include increased engagement and connection with the community for strategic development of services, programs, and policies to improve health for all. With new health challenges to address, I am committed to engaging our community in solutions that maximize the impact of public investments in health.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
The relationship between health and basic human needs such as food, housing, education, and social connections has been illuminated in the past two years. Our top priority must be to create equitable access to health and belongingness for all races, ethnicities, ages, incomes, sexual orientations, genders, and religious identities.
Nicole "Coco" Peterson
Age: 38
Occupation: Yoga Teacher, Community Organizer
Education: MS Health Care Ethics (Creighton University), BS Health and Exercise Science (Colorado State University), Yoga Teacher (ERYT500, YACEP)
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
Although my passion has always been interacting directly with individuals, I have grown to realize that sometimes you can make the broadest positive change for the most individuals by influencing and steering program and policy-level decisions. I will continue to work passionately with my community on a personal level, but it is time to help affect greater change on a larger scale.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
- Masters in Health Care Ethics
- Ability to balance how to best serve both the median needs of a population as well as our most vulnerable
- Frameworks for implementation of best practices for community health
- Yoga teacher and “teacher of teachers” for 15 years
- Former small business owner (yoga school)
What do you hope to accomplish?
To work in a collaborative and inclusive manner so diverse and interdisciplinary voices are heard and respected, while guiding program funds and policy-level decisions that affect the health and well-being of our northern Larimer County community. To empower, educate, and serve my community for tangible community health gains and individual flourishment.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Undoubtedly, mental health care is our most pressing issue. When not adequately addressed, neglected mental health care has profoundly negative impacts. Children perform poorer, chronic illness propagates, and the community suffers increases in violence, drug abuse, economic depression, and individual anguish. We need to think creatively for new solutions while identifying and funding best practices.
Joseph W. Prows
Age: 40
Occupation: Physician (family medicine with obstetrics)
Education: B.A. in Biology from Pomona College (2004); MD/MPH from Tulane University School of Medicine and Public Health (2009); Family Medicine residency at Alaska Family Medicine Residency (2009-2012)
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
I am seeking re-election to the Board during this unique moment for the Health District. I am thrilled with our selection of a new executive director and hope to work with him and the Board in service of our community for the next three years.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
The Health District needs leadership that understands health at individual, family, and community levels. In addition to my four years on this Board, I am a physician (MD) with a Master's degree in epidemiology, and have practiced full-spectrum family medicine (with obstetrics) for 13 years with special emphasis on mental health and addiction.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to continue to provide thoughtful, informed leadership and representation while working with our new executive director as the Health District enters this new chapter in its history. I will hold the Health District accountable with taxpayer money by being data—and outcome—driven, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of already-existing services.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
The implications of a rapidly-changing climate include more intense droughts, storms, floods, and fires, worsening food and housing insecurity, and increased costs of basic goods, all of which will have immense detrimental effects on every aspect of human health. As usual, these will disproportionately affect already poor and marginalized populations.
RUNNING FOR 1-YEAR TERM*:
Erin Hottenstein
Age: 48
Occupation: Communications, strategic planning, and leadership development consultant and coach
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Goucher College, plus various certifications
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
Northern Larimer County should be a place where we can all thrive. I’ve seen the toll the pandemic has taken on folks’ health, both mental and physical. I will use my knowledge and experience, including as a two-year Health District volunteer and a consumer, to improve access to healthcare.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
As a journalist early in my career, I covered government at every level and worked to ensure accountability and transparency. As an active community leader, including serving as board of trustees president, I strive to hear all points of view and then find common ground even on tough issues.
What do you hope to accomplish?
My goal is to help our neighbors in northern Larimer County to continue recovering from the pandemic. The Health District played a pivotal role in providing a place for people experiencing homelessness to quarantine and in creating a 24/7 mental health hotline. More work is needed to find our “new normal.”
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Access to health-care services. Many of our neighbors are suffering because they can’t get the treatment they need, and disproportionately they are people of color. If elected, I would bring my extensive experience on community boards to help as many people as possible to get the care they need.
Ann K. Yanagi
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired MD
Education: Post graduate
Why are you running for the Health District board of directors?
I believe the Health District plays an important role in creating a health safety net for our community. In this one year term, I will help the Health District transition to their new Executive Director, and determine future strategies and programs based on the health survey to be done this year.
What special skills or qualifications will you bring to the board?
Previous Health District Board member, who knows its history and programs well. Also previous board experience with UCHealth, PVH Foundation (chair), FC Symphony (Chair), and 8th JD Victim’s Compensation Board. Retired physician, previously practiced in Fort Collins 27 years. Currently volunteer with the Health District (COVID vaccinator), and the local Food Bank.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Work to continuously improve the health of our community. The Health District has many beneficial programs that respond to areas of need and those, of course, change over time. The Board’s job is to informatively direct and guide the use of tax dollars to meet those needs.
What is the most pressing health-related issue facing our community?
Opioid deaths, abuse, and addiction. The COVID pandemic has made this worse and has taken attention away from this other epidemic. Access to treatment options and mental health services go a long way to addressing this problem.
*Mark Longshore has withdrawn as a candidate although his name will still appear on ballots.