UMass FMCH Tuesday Talk - July 21, 2026/COMMUNITY | | |
Table of Contents
Message From the Chair
Upcoming Events
Focus of the Week - Community
Announcements
Department Member Recognition
Frankly Speaking Podcast
Resources
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Message From the Chair
M. Diane McKee, MD, MS, Professor and Chair, UMass Memorial Ledwith Chair in Family and Community Medicine
As shared previously, we are beginning to see the return on investment from the Lasser Fund:
Shannon McCleery, PsyD, the second-year fellow in the primary care psychology and medical education fellowship was awarded funding to also attend the STFM Annual Conference. This funding was crucial for her attendance of the Faculty for Tomorrow Pre-conference workshop. The workshop focused on teaching residents about pursuing careers in academic family medicine. She attended lectures about leadership, feedback, and how to sustain a career in academic family medicine. We wish Shannon well as she takes these new skills and knowledge to the Lowell Community Health Center’s new family medicine residency.
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Upcoming Events
Change in plans! We will have a Grand Rounds today!
FMCH Grand Rounds
Tuesday, July 21st, 12:00 - 1:00pm, Olga Valdman, MD, and Alex Mooradian, Esq.,
present "Immigration Training for Medical Providers".
Meeting ID: 191 986 273 Passcode: FMCH
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/191986273?pwd=NEtlZmNkdWlSUGwyeTJQU3dCeUs1QT09
SAVE the DATE - FMCH Grand Rounds
Annual Steven L. Putterman Memorial Lecture. A hybrid event scheduled for Tuesday, September 29th, 12:00-1:00pm, will be presented by guest speaker Michael A. Curry, Esq., President & CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.
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Focus of the Week - Community
Hugh Silk, MD, MPH, Vice Chair of Community Health
This summer has been hot! There will likely be more days when cooling centers open for our patients who are older, do not have air conditioning, or are living outside. You can get more information on those days in the Telegram and Gazette, City of Worcester Announcements page. The usual cooling centers are Worcester Public Library, the Worcester Senior Center, and the YWCA.
Fitchburg, MA typically activates several sites, including City Hall (718 Main St), the Public Library (166 Boulder Dr), the Senior Center (14 Wallace Ave), and the Salvation Army (739 Water St). Additional locations for relief include the Gustave Johnson State Pool and Parkhill Splash Park. Hours for these locations are adjusted based on the severity of the heat.
Other ways for you, your family, and your patients to stay cool this summer - Worcester has 1 public pool, 4 spray parks, and 4 beaches usually open 12-7pm. Worcester is also home to 3 state-run beaches and pools. The city has an excellent video on water safety too. For more information click here.
The Gustave Johnson Memorial Swimming Pool at 35 Wanoosnoc Road, offers free swimming lessons through the MA DCR and American Red Cross: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-learn-to-swim#what-pools-will-offer-free-swimming-lessons
On the topic of water and safety, it is not too late to learn to swim this summer, for FREE! The YWCA has another session in August for children and adults. More information here. There are also free lessons and water safety classes at Coes Pond, Bell Pond, Shore Park, and Crompton Pool. More information here.
Summer also means Farmers Markets. Now your patients on SNAP benefits can enjoy those healthy fruits and vegetables too. The Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) is underused. People can qualify to basically get free food at the famers markets - they buy the food with their HIP card, the farmer gets paid, and the government puts the money back on the SNAP card. Up to $80 per family per month. More information here on how to sign up and a link to farmer markets.
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Announcements
MassAHEC is currently recruiting faculty and residents to serve as Longitudinal Preceptors and to participate in skills sessions for the next academic year. This is a great opportunity to mentor first and second year medical students and to show them how great it is to be in Family Medicine. Please email Philip.day@umassmed.edu if you’re interested!
Inaugural hospital-based interdisciplinary Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO)
If you wish to become involved in teaching the new hospital-based, interdisciplinary training model to become instructors and teach at the 5 ALSO Provider and 2 ALSO Instructor courses each year. Remaining courses for 2026 include:
- July 24, ALSO Provider course 7:30-5:30 pm
- August 28, ALSO Instructor course 8-12 pm
- September 4, ALSO Provider course 7:30-5:30 pm
- October 16, ALSO Provider course 7:30-5:30 pm
- November 13, ALSO Provider course 7:30-5:30 pm
The Blue Zones Challenge for Caregivers
A FREE 4-week virtual wellness challenge inspired by Blue Zones® and the Power 9® principles. Small changes, big impact.
When: August 11, 18, 25 & September 1
Time: 7:15 am | 45-minute sessions
Format: Virtual
Cost: FREE
Each session includes interactive discussion, a simple weekly challenge, and realistic strategies designed for busy caregivers, covering the Five Pillars of Wellness:
🌿 Move Naturally
🌿 Find Your Purpose
🌿 Down Shift Stress
🌿 Eat Wisely
🌿 Strengthen Connections
Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/BPhywNewH6
Back by popular demand, Yoga is returning to Polar Park’s Outfield on Saturday, August 29th, and tickets are now on sale! The event has new ticket options this year allowing you to choose if you’d like to stay for breakfast in the DCU Club or leave immediately after the yoga flow ends. The first 250 attendees will receive this year’s event gift of a cooling workout towel. We hope you’ll join us for a relaxing flow in the outfield.
Click here to buy tickets. Click here for more info.
Ticket Types
- Yoga with Breakfast: $43/person
- Yoga Only: $18/person
Event Details
- Gates Open: 6:30am
- Yoga: 7:00am
- Breakfast: 8:00am
Unlock your teaching potential at TOT Workshop - 2 Days of Training
October 23rd and April 2nd, 8:00-4:00pm, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Contact susan.foley@umassmed.edu for more information or visit the website Teaching of Tomorrow.
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Department Member Recognition
Congratulations to the new practice site, Family Medicine at White City Plaza (previously known as Benedict Family Medicine). The ribbon cutting was Friday, July 17th with FMCH Chair, Diane McKee and Medical Director, Liam Burke making remarks with many UMass Memorial Health leaders and colleagues in attendance.
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Congratulations to Sandra Augusto who will become Medical Director of the Barre Family Health Center effective August 1st. Dr. Augusto succeeds Dr. Cynthia Jeremiah who served as Medical Director of Barre Family Health Center since 2020.
One of Hugh Silk's projects, The 100 Million Mouths Campaign, which trains primary care providers to identify oral health concerns, expanding access and improving patient care beyond dental offices, was highlighted and Hugh was quoted in Cincinnati's digital news, Soapbox.
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Frankly Speaking Podcast
Please join us for a weekly Podcast series. Primary care visits offer a valuable opportunity to identify and address excessive screen time-a health concern that can impact adults' physical and mental well-being. This episode brings you current data on adult screen use and its health consequences, helping you recognize and respond to a growing issue in patient populations. Guest: Robert A. Baldor, MD, FAAFP, presents, "Digital Dependence: Screening Adults for Screen Time". Frankly Speaking Episode #494. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frankly-speaking-about-family-medicine/id1194659367
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Please help us continue gathering information about instances of racism, bias, and microaggressions experienced by our learners, faculty, and staff. We encourage everyone to use our support tool, which takes approximately five minutes to complete. The information collected helps us identify appropriate and meaningful intervention options. Please access the form using the QR code or by using the Ombuds Support Form link: https://umassmed.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a3LP0h8mpHYDnqS
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