About the Collaborative

Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative

Enhancing the health and well-being of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket , and Gosnold residents through collaborative efforts and innovative public health strategies.

Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Islands Public Health Collaborative

Our Mission and Vision

The Inter-Islands Public Health Collaborative is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of residents across Martha’s Vineyard, Gosnold, and Nantucket. Our mission is to ensure equitable access to healthcare services, promote wellness, and address pressing health issues through collaborative efforts. Our vision is a community where every individual has the opportunity to achieve optimal health.

We bring together public health professionals, local governments, and community organizations to implement effective public health strategies. Our initiatives are designed to meet the unique needs of our island communities, fostering cooperation and sharing resources to improve overall health outcomes.

Advisory Board Members

Drew Belsky

IIPHEC Advisory Board Chair

Health Agent, Tisbury

Alexa Arieta

IIPHEC Advisory Board Vice Chair

Health Agent, Oak Bluffs

Brice Boutot

Health Agent, Edgartown

Sarah Toste

Assistant Health Agent, West Tisbury

Anna McCaffrey

Health Agent, Chilmark

Marina Lent

Health Agent, Aquinnah

Jerico Mele

Deputy Director of Health & Human Services, Nantucket

Jerico Mele is the Deputy Director of Health and Human Services for the Town of Nantucket and was formerly its Director of Human Services. He has served the Town of Nantucket for 5 years, and participated in IIPHEC for two*. His formative experience in public health was during the pandemic, meaning he is passionate about vaccination and behavioral health.

Stewart Young

Finance Committee Chairman, Gosnold

Stewart Young is a Selectboard and Board of Health member for the Town of Gosnold. He has been involved in town affairs for twenty years and recently joined IIPHEC. He is also a Principal with LandVest, Inc. and was a Principal in the Environmental, Health, and Safety practice at Arthur D. Little, Inc. His key areas of public health concern are tick-borne diseases and climate change.

Shared Staff

Patrick Roden-Reynolds

Shared Tick Biologist

Carrie Welch

Shared Health Inspector

Betsy VanLandingham

Shared Infectious Disease Case Investigator

Betsy VanLandingham, RN, BSN works as Infectious Disease Case Investigator for the six municipalities on Martha’s Vineyard. She is a seasoned former Emergency Room nurse who turned to public health five years ago in response to the COVID pandemic. Tick Borne diseases are a particular interest of hers due to the high number of confirmed and suspect cases occurring during the warmer months. She keeps in close contact with the health agents, assists with vaccination clinics, and works with hospital providers and local schools to monitor and respond to highly contagious vaccine-preventable diseases that have occurred here.

Caitlyn Winders

Shared Services Coordinator

Serving Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, & Gosnold