Sandra Fein, 75, is running for Seat 2 on the Anastasia Mosquito Control District Board in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Catherine Brandhorst, Ed Slavin and Tim Burton, according to BallotReady election data.

Asked why she is running, Fein said in our candidate questionnaire that she is seeking the seat "because protecting our community's health requires leadership grounded in evidence-based science, fiscal accountability, and public health education." She added, "As an RN, healthcare executive, educator and volunteer for the district's Disease Vector Education Center, I have seen firsthand how proactive education and outreach can prevent mosquito-borne diseases."

Candidate information

Age: 75

Party affiliation: Fein said in our questionnaire: "Democrat." The race is nonpartisan.

Family: Fein said in our questionnaire: "Married to a mostly retired academic physician/cardiologist, mother of two wonderful grown sons, and grandmother to 8 amazing grandchildren."

Education: Fein listed the following in our questionnaire: "RN Diploma – Mary Hitchcock-Dartmouth Hospital School of Nursing, Hanover, NH"; "BA – Social Sciences, College of St Rose, Albany, NY"; "MA – Community Psychology, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY"; "Post-graduate coursework in Organizational Studies, SUNY-Albany, Albany, NY."

Previous elected or appointed office: Fein said in our questionnaire: "None."

Experience and public service

Fein described her work history in our questionnaire, including: "Head nurse in critical care & infectious diseases, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY"; "Administrative Director, Haven Hospice, Gainesville. Oversaw 200+ employees and a $10 million budget. Streamlined Quality Improvement and reduced labor costs by $250k yearly during my tenure"; "Director of Corporate Education & QI, EHR Inc, overseeing 3000+ physicians, nurses, and attorneys. Philadelphia, PA"; and "Co-founder & senior VP - Critical Care Management Consultants, a national multi-disciplinary group providing organization effectiveness consulting services to hospitals throughout the United States. Trained >5500 physicians & nurses."

She also listed teaching at "St Leo University, Santa Fe College, Nova Southeastern College, Russell Sage College" in "Psychology, Research Methods & Statistics, Leadership Development." Her most recent work, she said, was as a "Volunteer, Disease Vector Educational Center (DVEC)," where she "Assisted DVEC in obtaining Autism Certification."

On the issues

What made her run: Asked what drew her from volunteering at the district's education center to seeking a board seat, Fein said in our questionnaire: "Volunteering with the Disease Vector Education Center was simply the next step in my lifelong learning journey. Deciding to run for the AMCD Board was a personal decision driven entirely by my desire to participate in local public health challenges firsthand." She added, "I realized mosquito control isn't just about mosquitoes; it connects disease prevention through cutting edge science, empowering residents with practical tools for mosquito control, and managing taxpayer dollars with complete transparency."

Community education: Asked what St. Johns County residents should know about mosquito control, Fein said: "A single teaspoon of standing water can breed hundreds of mosquitoes in under ten days, making unmanaged yards the primary source of neighborhood infestations. By taking just five minutes a week to 'Dump & Drain' any standing water, residents transform from passive bystanders into active partners with AMCD."

Differences from other candidates: Fein said in our questionnaire: "The critical difference lies in my clinical background as an RN, executive leadership, fiscal oversight, and educational teaching experience. … While others may focus narrowly on operational management, I bring a fresh public healthcare perspective to the board centered on prevention, evidence-based research, operational management, and empowering residents through public health education."

Accomplishments: Fein cited "Successfully managing a greater than $10 million budget and over 200 employees as a healthcare executive, achieving significant improvements in quality while reducing costs."

Best advice: Fein shared: "Communication is not about seeking agreement rather it is about creating understanding."