Board of Health – May 20, 2026

CITY OF MALDEN

Health and Human Services/Board of Health

215 Pleasant St., 3rd Floor

Malden, Ma 02148

781-397-7000

Laura Vlasuk, Director

Malden Board of Health Meeting

Minutes

May 20, 2026

6:30pm

Room 108, Malden City Hall

Board & Staff Present

• Dr. Scune Carrington, Board Chair
• Dr. Kunwar Singh, Member
• Mr. John Colangeli, Member
• Laura Vlasuk, Director of Health and Human Services
• Caroline Gwokyalya, Clerk

Meeting called to order by Dr. Scune Carrington at 6:30 pm.

Approval of Minutes of the April 15th, 2026, meeting. Motion to approve minutes made by Dr. Kunwar Singh, seconded by Mr. John Colangeli. Motion passes 3-0.

Introduction and appointment of Liana Chan

• Ms. Chan earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, followed by a Master of Science in Nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Ms. Chan now works for the City of Melrose as a Regional Health Inspector, serving multiple communities, including Malden.
• Motion to appoint Lina Chan as Inspector made by Mr. John Colangeli seconded by Dr. Kunwar Singh. Motion passes 3-0.

Central Place Residential Exemption

• After review of request and reviewing that location has no unpaid fines, complaints or violation
• The Motion to approve Central Place Residential 10 Florance Street Exemption made by Dr. Kunwar Singh seconded by Mr. John Colangel. Motion passes 3 -0.

Directors Report

Senior Center

• In April we held a Blood Drive that collected 24 life-saving units of blood. These donations will go directly toward helping patients in need.
• We have scheduled the next blood drive with the American Red Cross Blood Services Department for Monday August 17th at the Malden Senior Center.
• 16 Tax returns were processed for free through the Tax Assistance Program sponsored by AARP in April.

Tuberculosis

• of Active TB (Tuberculosis) cases: 5 (1 non-pulmonary/4 pulmonary)

• Total number of Male: 3
• Total number of Female: 2
• Age 1-10 = 0
• Ages 11-20 = 0
• Ages 21-30 = 0
• Ages 31-40 = 40F
• Ages 41-50 = 0
• Ages 51-60 = 51M
• Ages 60+ 71F, 73M, 80M
• Travel information
• Country of Birth
  • Vietnam = 1
  • Haiti = 3
  • El Salvador = 0
  • Morocco = 0
  • Ethiopia = 1
  • Asian not determined = 0

Teen Center

• State of the City Address hosted by MTEC.
• Provided 4 well attended field trips
• Outsiders Theater Trip
  • Went with a group of 10 to the theater to view "The Outsiders"
• Bentley College Tour
  • Went with a group of 7 to Bentley, had a tour and lunch on campus
• MHS Art Club
  • Hosted at MTEC, and they created homemade cards for children to be donated at the Boston Children's Hospital
• MTEC Badminton Tournament
  • Had 6 teams of 2 competing together in a tournament and the winner received a gift card to Santa Fe Grill.

Language access support was utilized 23 times including walk-ins and language line.

In-Person

• Spanish: 3
• Haitian Creole: 1
• Chinese: 2

Phone Line

• Haitian Creole: 1
• Portuguese: 8
• Spanish: 5
• English: 1

• Operator: 2

• On April 14th, Director Vlasuk attended Emergency Operations Coordination Training.

• The Health Department Recovery Coaches collaborate with Cambridge Health Alliance to provide monthly resource sessions at the high school. These sessions are conducted in an open, nonjudgmental environment where students are encouraged to ask questions related to their health and well-being. The primary objective is to promote awareness of various health concerns, including smoking, vaping, and gambling.
• Director Vlasuk responded to a DPH activation from HHAN (Health and Homeland Alert Network) in support of the 2026 Boston Marathon in case of emergency response.
• 23 Food Establishment inspections.
• 22 Food Services Inspections.
• 1 Retail Food Inspection.
• 80 Rental Units Inspections.
• 9 Housing Complaint Inspections.
• 3 Other Complaint Inspections.
• 5 individuals were transported to a rehabilitation center in April.
• Our gambling addiction team sponsored a table at the Senior Center, engaging with 38 individuals who participated in a gambling awareness screening.
• Dr. Scune Carrington requested that we provide the Board with the final FY2027 budget reduction for Health and Human Services.
• The date for next Meeting is set for September 16th, 2026, at 6:30 pm.
• The Motion to adjourn is made 7:09 pm by Mr. John Colangeli seconded by Dr. Kunwar Singh. Meeting adjourned Motion passes 3 -0.

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Liana Chan

lianachan26@gmail.com | 508-808-0778 | Framingham, MA 01702

EDUCATION

University of Massachusetts Amherst, School of Public Health and Health Sciences — May 2025 - Master of Science in Nutrition

University of Massachusetts Amherst, School of Public Health and Health Sciences — May 2024 - Bachelor of Science in Public Health Sciences - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

EXPERIENCE

City of Melrose – Health & Human Services, Melrose, MA — August 2025 – Present

Health Inspector Trainee - Shadow inspectors of Melrose, Wakefield, and Stoneham, replicating inspection process work with standardization using municipal resources and maintaining workflow documentation on Inspecticare - Execute a wide variety of public and environmental health inspections, including food establishments, housing, other nuisance complaints, through education-focused enforcement of local and state regulations to ensure public safety and compliance, alongside Senior Public Health Inspector - Respond to sensitive public complaints with respect and discretion, contributing to work culture and diverse matters professionally and collaboratively

University Health Services, Amherst, MA — December 2024 – May 2025

Contracting & Insurance Credentialing Intern - Support Contracting & Insurance Credentialing Manager with gathering, verifying, and maintaining accurate provider information in insurance databases, including licenses, certifications, and other credentials by processing applications, tracking status, and managing re-credentialing - Aid with negotiation and execution of contracts with supply vendors and insurance companies, ensuring precise and timely submission of necessary documentation

University Programming Council, Amherst, MA — August 2021 – May 2025

Associate Director, Event Coordinator, General Body Member - Lead and advise a team of general body members and 23 event coordinators and using interpersonal skills and collaborate with fellow board members and university staff to meet goals and maintain a hospitable and productive work environment - Multitask and being open to taking on new responsibilities under pressure to execute dozens of organized free social events for the entire UMass community as on a timely basis with a $400,000 budget by communicating Logistical Plans and Banquet Event Orders with catering companies and outside vendors

UMass Dining, Amherst, MA — January 2022 – May 2023

Nutrition Analysis Intern - Assist campus dietitian with modifying retail and dining hall menus by identifying allergens, healthfulness, and nutritional's using menu management software - Work efficiently with Auxiliary Enterprises to ensure allergy meals are safely prepared for students - Instructing AllerTrain classes to teach dining staff on standard food safety practices for the retail sites

New Moms Wellness Study, Amherst, MA — January 2022 – May 2022

Research Assistant - Conduct remote counseling calls using motivational interviewing to discuss goal setting to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in participants - Follow CITI Program training and other consent and confidentiality protocols for the safety and comfortability of participants

CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Pool Operator (2025)
• Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED (2024)
• ServSafe (2023)
• AllerTrain (2022)