Who We Are
Board of Directors
Laura Blaisdell, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician, child health researcher, and advocate. She serves as the Vice President of the Maine AAP, Co-chair of Maine Families for Vaccines, and Trustee to Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine. Dr. Blaisdell has published research on vaccine hesitation and decision-making among parents, as well as research on successful prevention of infectious disease spread, including SARS-CoV-2, in a camp setting. She spearheaded the successful legislative and referendum effort to remove non-medical exemptions in Maine. Dr. Blaisdell mentors students and residents and teaches evidence-based medicine in her role as Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Allison Winnike, JD, is past President & CEO of The Immunization Partnership. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. Allison is the Governing Councilor for the American Public Health Association (APHA) Law Section, Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Health Law Section Public Health & Policy Interest Group, and Chair of the Pandemic Vaccine Task Force. She also serves on several boards and committees, including the ABA COVID-19 Task Force, the Conference of Chief Justices Pandemic and Emergency Response Task Force, the Health Law & Policy Institute Advisory Board, and the Immunization Law and Policy Collaboration, where she co-chairs the Resources, Repository, and Curation Committee.
Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, PhD is a Professor at the University of California Hastings School of Law. She received her PhD from the Jurisprudence and Social Policy program at UC Berkeley. Her research and activities are focused on legal and policy issues related to vaccines. Dr. Reiss writes about school mandates, policy responses to non-vaccination, tort issues, and administrative issues related to vaccines.
Julie Duran Mullica, MPH, CIC, has over a decade of epidemiology experience and is a local policymaker and public health advocate. She serves as the Vice President of the Tri-County Health Department Board of Health, and Director at Large for the National Association of Local Boards of Health. As a lifelong Colorado resident, she is elected to her local city council and champions public health policy at the local and state level. Her advocacy centers on health equity issues including access to health care, environmental justice, vaccine access and food insecurity for BIPOC communities. She graduated with her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Colorado-Denver.
Jonathan White, JD (emeritus) obtained his S.B in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a recent graduate of Suffolk University Law School. He is the co-founder and Director of Policy & Engagement for the non-profit public health collective, Hood Medicine Initiative, and co-host to their livestream podcast, Hood Med Chats. As member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation’s oldest Black-Greek-Lettered-
Debbie McCune Davis recently retired as Director for The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) after serving in that capacity since February 1996. She developed her knowledge of the community and her skills in coalition development as an active community member and as an elected official serving in the Arizona Legislature. First elected at the age of 27 in 1978, Debbie served a total of 30 years in both the House of Representatives and the Arizona State Senate.
In her local community, Debbie worked with many organizations and task forces to improve the health status of women and children in Arizona. Her reputation for being a knowledgeable advocate for maternal and child health issues has allowed her to build critical relationships with key partners on these issues. In 2012 she was recognized for her advocacy by the Children’s Action Alliance in Phoenix and Every Child By Two, now Vaccinate Your Family in Washington DC. She serves on the Board of Directors of Vaccinate Your Family.
Debbie is married to Glenn Davis, a retired Superior Court Judge. They have
a blended family of five adult children and three grandchildren. Both love to
travel and learn about history, art and culture around the world.
Debbie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from
Arizona State University, 1975.
Staff
Rebecca Christensen
Founder and Campaigns Director
Becky is a former surgical care nurse from Colorado’s Western Slope.
A lifelong Coloradan, Becky was in the nursing profession for 20 years, starting as a nurse’s aide and working her way to being a Registered Nurse and an operating room coordinator.
In 2014, she harnessed her volunteer passion for politics and turned it into a new career. She has since run several political campaigns, and emerged as one of Colorado’s most respected political operatives. In addition, she worked at the state legislature as an aide with key expertise in public health policy.
After seeing members of the anti-vaccination movement derail a number of key policy goals, Becky decided to pivot to take on anti-vaxxers directly. She founded SAFE Communities, an organization with a simple goal: strengthen public health and save lives.
Northe Saunders
Executive Director
Northe brings 15 years of leadership, grassroots organizing, and fundraising experience to our organization. He has worked on the local, state, and national levels for numerous political campaigns, candidates, and advocacy organizations.
In 2019 he was encouraged by his partner, a pediatrician, to testify in support of removing non-medical exemptions to the vaccine schedule for students in Maine. He was galvanized by the strong opposition to the legislation and joined the volunteer organization, Maine Families for Vaccines, to support the effort. He led the grassroots citizen lobbying effort that saw the successful passage of the legislation. When the opposition attempted a referendum to use a “People’s Veto” and overturn the legislation, he served as volunteer political director for Maine Families.
Northe oversaw the creation of a state PAC, hiring of campaign staff, and coordination with political allies. Maine Families celebrated a resounding 72.4 percent victory at the polls, and the legislation was upheld. He is excited to bring his passion for fundraising, grassroots organizing, and pro-science advocacy to other states across the nation.
Caitlin Gilmet
Communications Director
Caitlin is a writer and fundraiser with deep experience working for nonprofit organizations supporting access to care, education, opportunity, and justice for historically marginalized populations.
When Caitlin’s infant son caught chicken pox shortly after starting daycare, she learned how easy it was for other parents to evade the vaccine requirements that keep us all safe. She helped to found Maine Families for Vaccines, an award-winning network of volunteers, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and experts that helps set the national standard for public health advocacy.
Caitlin serves on the steering committee for the Maine Immunization Coalition. She is passionate about demystifying science, empowering less likely activists, and promoting good health and hope.