Who We Are

TEAM Founder Robert Houton, whose personal experience in safeguarding a family member’s health throughout the challenges of chronic disease, has led national health policy and advocacy initiatives, culminating in the TEAM Vaccinate organization and mission, to serve the most vulnerable in society, especially the underserved, minority communities and populations. Mr. Houton’s upbringing in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA, and frequent visits to his neighborhood community health center, had a profound impact upon his formation as an advocate for those who encounter systemic health inequities.

Mr. Houton served in the Washington, D.C. office of former Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and on the presidential transition team of former President-Elect Barack Obama and then Vice-President-Elect Joseph Biden. While the TEAM organization preceded Covid-19, TEAM’s work to listen, visit, and elevate underserved communities in the need for the public to become vaccinated with the Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) Covid-19 vaccines will continue well into the future and beyond this pandemic.

Andrea Commoss is proud to lead communications and strategic partnerships that will help to expand the TEAM Vaccinate organization and mission to underserved communities. Andrea’s dedication to providing creative ways for organizations to partner with the TEAM organization will accelerate measurable impact in elevating underserved communities. 

 Before joining TEAM, Andrea was instrumental in developing integrated media programs while at the Boston Globe, Hearst Media, and WCVB TV as a leader within their sales organizations. Andrea’s diligent approach to understanding client needs, and her strong knowledge of implementing multi-faceted media solutions for her clients, has helped her to develop key partnerships and become a trusted advisor to organizations. 

 Andrea resides in Marblehead, Ma with her husband Josh and two children, Ryan and Ella.

Taylor Joiner is a Communications professional with a passion for copywriting and using social media as a means of communication. Taylor graduated Summa Cum Laude from Howard University where she majored in Advertising. She loves creating new and exciting ways to cater to the audiences of different products and companies, relying on her own experience as a social media user, as well as knowledge gained from her collegiate studies and several professional opportunities. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys painting, making jewelry, and spending time with friends and family. Working with TEAM Vaccinate is an incredible opportunity for this young professional and she cannot wait to use her skills to serve the community.

Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul’s long-standing commitment to, and leadership in underserved communities led to her appointment as the first TEAM Vaccinate Advisory Board member. A professor at Harvard Medical School and attending physician at Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Phipatanakul completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and her Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Her passion is mentoring and she has received mentoring awards from the Thai Association Physician Foundation, Harvard Medical School, and Pediatric Academic Society. She has authored over 250 peer-reviewed articles in various scientific journals and was elected in 2017 to the American Society of Clinical Investigation, an Honor Society for Research.