Lamar, Joanne

I began my interest in addressing community issues when the Plymouth-Canton School Board planned to sell 17 acres of climax-beech maple forest adjacent to our neighborhood and our home. A neighbor advised me to address the situation. In fact, he said, "do something about this, Joanne!" So, this was the start of my interest in social change and local politics. I enlisted a friend and we worked with the school district, Plymouth Township officials and an environmental advocacy group to preserve this treasure. This sparked my interest in change, resulting in political issues taking a prominent position in my life.

Throughout the K-12 years with my children, I was very active in the classroom and in many school activities, including leadership in the Plymouth-Canton Marching Band Boosters, chairing the planning and organization of the annual high school senior party (x2) and participation in many school district committees. I was elected to the Plymouth-Canton School Board in 2002 and held a 4 year term. I have developed a passion for the importance of education as the essence of personal success.

At the urging of several friends, I ran for State Rep in 2006 for the 20th District. I campaigned on providing equitable health care for the underserved and for providing humanistic care for those with mental challenges. Although I was not successful in this political pursuit, I have not lost the passion and motivation to improve health care delivery/coverage and to advocate for educational equity.

I have a BSN from MSU, and Masters's degrees in Nursing Administration and Business Administration from Madonna University. I have worked in a variety of venues, including inpatient acute care, urban ER, academic nursing, and community care I am currently the manager of a very complex, acute medical unit at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. I have 24 hour responsibility for 60 staff, 31 patients and the smooth and safe operation of the unit. This is true immersion into care for the underserved in the core of an urban setting. It is a very enriching experience.

My husband and I live in Plymouth. Both he and I are MSU alums, as well as both of our children. My daughter just moved to North Carolina with her communications degree from MSU. My son teaches music in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

I love to bake, bike, golf, dance and be active in the community. I enjoy politics, music,(particularly R&B), MSU sports, the Red Wings and Tigers. I am very happy to be a part of this very engaging and active public policy group.