APPT-2025-19 : Appointment of Regina Gibbons, 358 Lebanon Street, to the Commission on Women

Transcript (~6 min @ 8:07)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 7:51 Kimberly Vandiver: Motion to recommend by Councilor Occhio, seconded by Councilor Stewart. Um, on discussion. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? This also passes, uh, will come before the next Bill council meeting with a recommendation for passage. And the last order before us tonight is ID number 1, 2, 3, 3, 1. The appointment of Regina Gibbons, 3 58 Lebanon Street to the Commission on Women.

▶ 8:24 Speaker 1: Welcome. And would love to hear, um, anything you have to, to tell us about this appointment. Sure. Um, nice. See you all again. So, um, Ms. Gibbons proactively reached out to, um, the mayor. Given her, I think what you can see is extensive experience in healthcare as well as, in particular working on women's health and women's issues. Um, and as she said in her letter, an an elder of the community, which I did not state, um, would not think that I say that. Um, she will. Yes. Um, and so when the mayor had the chance to, um, speak with her, really thought that given her experience as well as, um, both the administration and the council's desire to really tap into, um, you know, populations in the community that aren't necessarily, um, in, involved in our boards and commissions. Um, just thought that those was a perfect synergy, um, for her. I think she might even be stopping by the Women's Commission meeting tonight, which is taking place, um, uh, one level below us this evening. So, was really interested in it. Um, does have an extensive experience as well as education, um, several graduate degrees as well as certifications. Um, and I think, you know, her passion for women's issues is something that will be a, a huge value add to the commission as well.

▶ 9:42 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you so much. Um, and, uh, Ms. Gibbons, would you like to add anything additional before you open up for questions?

▶ 9:49 Speaker 4: I, um, I moved to Melrose about 10 years ago and immediately dropped into a community in a neighborhood. Um, and, um, I am really excited about the, the vision for the city. And, and I'm also in a position now where I'm not working full-time at the hospital and I have, have time, um, and I can make my own schedule behaving, uh, running my own clinic. So, um, but I just, I really, um, appreciate the, uh, the opportunity and the elder, which I used the capital E. You could use that. Yes. That, um, the, you know, there is, am I representative of a certain population in my age group? Probably not. I misbehave all the time, but, but I do think that there is wisdom in the, in the years that I have been here, both in clinical practice and in, uh, and being alive. And so, um, and I'm excited about the group that has already, um, is already active on the commission and, and the new membership. So, um, I would, I would love to have the opportunity to be part of this Vital city.

▶ 11:08 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you so much. Does anyone on the committee have any questions? Yes.

▶ 11:13 Manjula Karamcheti: Um, first I wanted to say thank you for expressing interest. Um, I really just enjoyed looking over your resume, um, just really appreciate the commitment to health and wellness, and am excited that you'll be bringing that to the Women's Commission. Have you thought about just things that you would like to work on within the group, or, um, ways that you'd like to bring your expertise to the group?

▶ 11:44 Speaker 4: I think that the, um, you know, not only am I a a clinician, but I'm also a, I teach in the clinical trials around the, the Tai Chi and, and what they're now called contemplative movement. And that for all of us, everyone who's alive in a human body, um, these practices and, and they don't have to be extensive, they don't have to be hours long. There can be little sips of it throughout the day. So in terms of doing a program, doing some education, doing, you know, courses, that's, um, that's more than I could personally take on. But I could gather a team, you know, I reached out to one of my colleagues, um, who also has practices here in, in Melrose and has for a long time. Um, and, you know, is, is is there something that we could put together, um, for tools for folks? And, um, yes, there's plenty that I have in my toolkit. It's just what, what is the need? Where is the need and, and how do we actually implement some of that?

▶ 12:48 Manjula Karamcheti: Yeah. It'll be great to have your wisdom in terms of thinking how to holistically support women in this community. So really appreciate you stepping up,

▶ 13:01 Kimberly Vandiver: Um, uh, president merely. Thank you,

▶ 13:04 Leila Migliorelli: Madam Chair. Thank you. I just wanna say thank you for stepping up. I think, um, I'm not sure that we've had someone in the health healthcare space on the Women's Commission before, and given, um, how women's health in particular has been, you know, under research, under study. It's really, it'll be great to have your input there and, um, looking forward to seeing what you'll come up with on the commission. So thank you for stepping up.

▶ 13:27 Speaker 3: Alright. I'll make a motion to recommend second

▶ 13:29 Kimberly Vandiver: Motion to recommend by Vice Chair Karen Chetty, seconded by Councilor Stewart. Um, on discussion. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Um, this order will be brought to the next full council meeting with a recommendation for passage. Um, you, I'd like to echo my colleagues and say thank you so much for stepping up. And we're very ex, I, I am also very excited. Um, you don't need to attend the full council meeting. You're welcome to if you would like to. And, and thank you again for coming tonight.

▶ 13:59 Speaker 4: I gotta get to work downstairs.