Emily Hatchouel
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
If you’ve ever walked through the Farmers Market and picked up helpful health information, chances are you’ve already met her.
Meet Emily Hatchouel, Melrose’s Public Health Specialist. Emily works behind the scenes on some of the biggest issues facing communities today:
- substance abuse prevention
- mental health awareness
- violence prevention
- traffic safety
- connecting residents with critical resources
With a Master’s in Public Health Counseling, Emily is a key leader behind the Melrose Health and Wellness Coalition, which works to build a safe, supportive, prevention-focused community. One of her current priorities is substance abuse prevention and recovery support. That includes quick Narcan trainings — just 5–10 minutes — that provide residents with the knowledge and a free Narcan kit that could save a life.
To make access easier, Narcan boxes are now available throughout the city, including City Hall, the Library, the City Yard, the Milano Center, Mt. Hood, and the Police and Fire stations.
You’ll often find Emily at the Farmers Market sharing resources and talking with residents. She genuinely enjoys meeting people and learning what the community needs most.
She also keeps residents informed through the Health & Human Services e-newsletter, social media, and appearances on the MMTV podcast Health Horizon.
One accomplishment she’s especially proud of is helping the city secure a Stop School Violence Grant, which will fund a counselor at the middle school, anti-bullying training, and updated prevention curriculum.
Emily also leads a youth action team focused on peer-to-peer education — empowering young people to support one another.
When she’s not working to improve public health, she enjoys traveling and crocheting.
She’s currently inviting the community to Screenagers, a free four-part library series exploring how screen time impacts kids’ development and what families can do about it.
Public health work often happens quietly — through conversations, education, and building connections. But the impact reaches every corner of the community.
Melrose is healthier because of people like Emily. And that’s why she’s one of the Amazing Women of Melrose.
