About Felix

Felix Zemel Photo

Our Approach

Who is Felix?

I have been a resident of Needham for nearly 5 years.  I am a father of two young children, and am an active member of the Needham Preschool PTC.  My public health practice experience spans over a decade in public health policymaking, administration, and enforcement at the municipal, state, and national levels.

I am a doctoral candidate for a Doctor of Public Health degree at Tufts University School of Medicine, and hold graduate degrees in Public Health and City Planning from Boston University.  I am on the faculty at Boston University in their graduate programs on City Planning, Urban Affairs, and Urban Sustainability.  I have also guest lectured at Harvard School of Public Health, Tufts University School of Medicine, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Our Story

More about Felix

Academic

  • DrPH Candidate, Tufts University School of Medicine (expected December 2018)
  • MPH, Boston University School of Public Health (concentration in Environmental Health)
  • MCP, Boston University Metropolitan College
  • BS in Engineering Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Publications

Public Health Achievements

  • Fellow, Local Public Health Institute of Massachusetts
  • Diplomate, American Academy of Sanitarians
  • President's Citation, National Environmental Health Association
  • President's Award, MA Environmental Health Association
  • Led the first community in MA to adopt the 2013 FDA Food Code
  • Helped develop the initial MA PHIT Housing training program of health inspectors
  • Assisted MassDEP in developing their anaerobic digester regulations

Current Professional Service

  • Adjunct Instructor in City Planning and Sustainable Development, Boston University
  • Academic Chair, American Academy of Sanitarians
  • Co-Chair of the Climate Change Technical Advisory Committee, National Environmental Health Association
  • Peer Reviewer, Journal of Environmental Health
  • Member of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Tall Wood Buildings, International Code Council
  • Member of multiple technical advisory committees, National Fire Protection Association

Notable Previous Professional Service

  • Chief of Building Inspections and Technical Director, MA Department of Public Safety
  • Health Agent, Cohasset Board of Health
  • Sanitarian II, Framingham Board of Health
  • Board Member At-Large, MA Health Officer's Association
  • Technical Advisor for Land Use Planning & Design, National Environmental Health Association
  • Environmental Health Committee Member, National Association of County and City Health Officials
  • Former Planning Board member in Marblehead and Newton