The First Annual Healthy Communities Conference was held at the Hoagland Pincus Conference Center in Shrewsbury, MA, on June 20, 2007. The conference was also the final session for participants in the Massachusetts Forum for Healthy Communities attended by five graduates from Fall River. The conference featured presentations by Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach and American Public Health Association President Deborah Klein Walker. Workshops covered a number of topics including health disparities, environmental strategies, population health, use of MASSCHIP, and the built environment. For further information about the Massachusetts Partnership and attendance of the upcoming Forum series, contact Massachusetts Partnership for Healthy Communities Director Peter Lee at the Medical Foundation in Dorchester at 617-698-8079.
 

(Top row, left) Commissioner Auerbach outlines the principles that will guide the changes he plans for the Department of Public Health under his guidance. (Top row, center) Fall River conference participants included Jenna Daum, Karen Fischer, Suzanne Rapozo, Dave Weed, Ron Weisberger, (seated) Susan Wolfson and Michael Ramos. (Top row, right) Susan Downey of the Medical Foundation and Chuck Klevgaad of DPH provide an introduction to the Strategic Prevention Framework as (seated, left) Jenna Daum and Karen Fischer listen. (Middle row, left) American Public Health Association President Deborah Klein Walker talks about the importance of community approaches in addressing the nation's health challenges. (Middle row, right) Healthy City Fall River Coordinator Dave Weed makes a presentation in a workshop on health disparities. (Bottom row, left) Ron Weishberger, BCC staff member and B.O.L.D. Coalition member, makes a point during an Open Space workshop while Center for Healthy Communities Director Tracy Desovich, seated to his left, listens. (Bottom row, center) Suzanne Raposo of the SE Mass. Girl Scouts, Mike Ramos of the District Attorney's Office, Karen Fischer of B.O.L.D., and Ron Weisberger and Jenna Daum of Bristol Community College display their certificates following the graduation ceremony for Mass. Forum IV participants.. (Bottom row, right) Mike Ramos and Suzanne Raposo enjoy a break between sessions.