Baker-Polito Administration Names John LeBeaux of Shrewsbury as Agricultural Commissioners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2014

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Tim Buckley
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Baker-Polito Administration Names Health And Agricultural Commissioners
Brighton- Today, the Baker-Polito administration announced Monica Bharel, MD, MPH, will serve as Commissioner of Public Health and John Lebeaux will serve as Commissioner of Agricultural Resources.

“Doctor Bharel has an impressive background as a physician serving the homeless, some of the most vulnerable citizens of the commonwealth,” said Marylou Sudders, HHS Secretary-designate. “Her accomplished career in public health will serve her well in this important position.”

“I am honored to join Governor-elect Baker’s growing team of experienced, bipartisan public servants,” said Doctor Bharel, “and I look forward to carrying out his ambitious agenda.”

About Monica Bharel, MD, MPH:
Dr. Monica Bharel, MD, MPH has spent the last 20 years on the front lines of public health, and currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), dedicated to improving the long-term health and lives of the Massachusetts homeless population. She has devoted her professional career to caring for vulnerable populations and has worked in community health settings, academic medical centers, and nonprofit health care organizations. Her interests include strengthening the connection between medical and community networks and bringing valuable public health services to our communities in an efficient and effective way that improves overall health. Dr. Bharel received her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and completed a residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Boston City Hospital/Boston Medical Center. Dr. Bharel received her Master in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health, where she participated as a Mongan Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy.
“The success of local farms is hugely important to the commonwealth,” said EEA Secretary-designate Beaton. “John’s experience serving on the Board of Food and Agriculture will be an asset as he continues the progress made promoting locally grown Massachusetts products.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to promote Massachusetts agriculture to benefit the people of the Commonwealth, said John Lebeaux.”

About John Lebeaux:

Grandson to a farmer and son to a nursery owner, John Lebeaux was General Manager of his family’s business, Shrewsbury Nurseries, for twenty-six years. Past President of the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, John has served in the public sector as a member of the Massachusetts Board of Food and Agriculture; serves as a current member of the Massachusetts Water Resources Commission; is a six term Selectman in the Town of Shrewsbury; and is currently employed as Town Administrator for the Town of Princeton. John and his wife Debbie live in Shrewsbury on a former portion of his grandfather’s Buttonwood Farm.