February 2019
 

Thank you to everyone who nominated a health equity champion to be honored at MPHA's 2019 Spring Awards Breakfast. We received many excellent nominations. I am thrilled to announce this year's awardees below. 

I also want to thank everyone who joined us in advocating for MPHA's priority legislation during the cosponsorship drive last month!  All 5 of our priority bills received a strong showing of support and 3 out of 5 of were cosponsored by a majority of the legislature. While there's still much more to do to get these bills past the finish line this session, this a great start worth celebrating!

Stay tuned for information in the coming months on how you can continue to use your voice and join with us in advancing health equity priorities, including priority programs in the state budget.  Click here to read MPHA's analysis of Governor Baker's FY20 budget proposal, released last month.  

On April 5th, I will be speaking at the Public Health Museum in Tewksbury to mark National Public Health Week (NPHW)--I'll have more information to share with you in our March newsletter. You can find NPHW events in your area listed here.

Save the date: MPHA's 2019 Annual Conference will be on November 13, 2019 at the DCU Center in Worcester. 

In partnership,





Carlene Pavlos
Executive Director
Events
Meet Our 2019 Health Equity Champions!
Join us at MPHA's Spring Awards Breakfast on Friday, June 7, 2019 at the State Room in Boston, MA. 

MPHA's Spring Awards Breakfast is the premier opportunity for the public health community to come together in celebration of our accomplishments and to honor our friends and colleagues who inspire us with their leadership and determination to advance health equity in the Commonwealth. Mark your calendar--we will announce early bird tickets next Tuesday! 

Senator Harriette L. Chandler (First Worcester District), Paul Revere Award
In her nearly 20 years as a legislator, Senate President Emerita Chandler has been a leading advocate for health equity including being a lead champion for oral health, reproductive rights, affordable housing, transportation equity, including through strong Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), and for priority programs like  the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund and Complete Streets Program.
Raheem Baraka (posthumous), Lemuel Shattuck Award
Raheem Baraka was a visionary and influential leader who made significant and long-lasting contributions to the field of public health and to the city of Boston before his untimely passing in the fall of 2018. R aheem dedicated his career to addressing the root causes of health inequities, demonstrating through his achievements the power of community-centered approaches to advancing wellness, especially in low-income communities of color. 
Dr. Thea James, Leadership in Medicine Award
Dr. James is the Associate Chief Medical Officer, Vice President of Mission, and Director of the Violence Intervention Advocacy Program at Boston Medical Center (BMC). She is a pioneer in moving medical care to a whole-person approach which recognizes the impact of the social determinants of health in patient health outcomes. Dr. James was a driving force behind BMC's unprecedented investment of $6.5 million in affordable housing initiatives. 
Dr. Nate Horwitz-Willis, Alfred Frechette Award
Dr. Horwitz-Willis is a rising star in public health currently serving as the Health Director for the Plymouth Department of Public Health, where he has led significant progress across the department including in its communications and community engagement and outreach. Dr.  Horwitz-Willis also serves as the public health officer for the Air National Guard at Joint Base Cape Cod/Otis.
Come Celebrate with MPHA Staff, Board, and other Health Equity Advocates on March 5th! 

Come join fellow public health colleagues and advocates for good company, light refreshments, and a nice view at MPHA's new location!

Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm 
Location: Massachusetts Public Health Association
50 Federal Street, 8th Floor, Boston 

RSVP with Alexa Piacenza at: apiacenza@mapublichealth.org. 
MPHA and Mel King Institute (MKI) Training on How CDCs and Hospitals Can Partner to Address Community Needs  

Recent regulation and guideline changes from the Department of Public Health and the Office of the Attorney General create new expectations for how hospitals invest in communities and address community needs. MPHA Field Director Andrea Freeman and MPHA Coalition and Advocacy Manager Kristina Kimani will instruct participants on these  recent updates and will outline ways participants can forge new partnerships and make strategic investments in their communities. 

Investing in Health: How Hospitals and CDCs can Partner to Address Community Needs
Date: March 14, 2019
Time: 9:30-12:30
Location:  South Middlesex Opportunity Council
7 Bishop Street, Framingham 

  Click here to learn more and to register
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Turns 150
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is marking its 150th anniversary in 2019. Information to come on events being planned as part of the celebration throughout this year. 

To learn about the history of public health in the Commonwealth, visit https://publichealthmuseum.org.
Massachusetts Public Health Association | (857) 263-7072 | mpha@mapublichealth.org |   mapublichealth.org
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