About Us

Lauren “Laurie” M. Andersen, MM, RN, CEN, CCRN
Director/Ombudsman – Office of the Ombudsman

Lauren “Laurie” M. Andersen, MM, RN, CEN, CCRN, is a registered nurse with extensive experience in education, critical care, and emergency nursing. During the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) global pandemic, she worked as an intensive care unit nurse and then as a healthcare operations consultant supporting four (4) Department of Public Health hospitals as well as other inpatient facilities. Laurie began serving as the independent Ombudsman overseeing and reporting on the Massachusetts Department of Correction’s (DOC) efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the fall of 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Executive Director of the Office of the Ombudsman, she provided support and guidance to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the DOC during the COVID-19 pandemic, including comprehensive guidance on infection control to the DOC facilities. During this experience working with the DOC and the fifteen (15) DOC facilities, Ms. Andersen and the Office of the Ombudsman recognized the need to support the DOC staff and facilities in general wellness initiatives and expanded infection control post-pandemic. Presently, Ms. Andersen leads the Office in this expanded capacity.   

Glenn Doher
Consultant

Glenn Doher is a retired Captain from the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) and works as a consultant to the Office of the Ombudsman. He is a dedicated corrections expert with a 30-year work history and the insight needed to understand the work of the DOC. Captain Doher’s investment and passion for the experience of living and working in the DOC brings vision and connection to the staff and needs of the DOC. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he worked as a military police officer and attained the rank of corporal. Captain Doher began his work in the DOC in 1992 and continued until his retirement in 2022 as a Captain at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center. He worked in multiple facilities in the DOC and was an active member of the Wellness Committee through the years.

John Flowers
Consultant

John Flowers is a retired Captain from the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) and currently serves as a consultant to the Office of the Ombudsman. He dedicated more than 33 years to the correctional field, developing deep expertise across multiple facilities and security roles. Captain Flowers began his career with the DOC in 1990 and advanced through a variety of assignments, including a few years as Director of Security. He later returned to uniform with the goal of retiring at the rank of Captain, a milestone he achieved in 2018. Following that, he continued to serve as Captain at MCI–Shirley and later in the Training Division until his retirement in 2024. Throughout his career, Captain Flowers was committed to mastering the knowledge and skills required to succeed in each role, while providing strong support and mentorship to colleagues. He is widely recognized for his professionalism, leadership, and engaging personality. In addition, he was an active member of Wellness Committees at every facility where he served.

Lynne Dionne
Administrative Manager

Lynne Dionne has worked at UMass Chan Medical School since 2012 and joined the Office of the Ombudsman as an Administrative Coordinator. A key member of the Office team, she contributes valuable experience (working with justice-involved populations, institutional knowledge, and organizational skills) to this essential role. Ms. Dionne is passionate about her work and enjoys working on a team. Her diverse skill set includes team management as well as the ability to work independently, and she thrives in a fast-paced, challenging atmosphere – all of which enhances the mission of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Office of the Ombudsman works with experts from ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School who serve as advisors to support the Ombudsman. Advisors include professionals with expertise in correctional healthcare, infection prevention, and business intelligence/analytics.