Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner John Auerbach held his third Southeast Regional Health Dialogue on May 20, 2007, at the Plymouth Public Library. One of five similar forums designed to maintain communication between the DPH central office in Boston and those in other parts of the Commonwealth, the event provided an update of regional data with a focus on chronic diseases. A panel composed of Steve Helme, Chairman of the Health Advisory Committee of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Linda Gabruk, CEO of the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, and Dr. Russell Munson, Medical Director for BMC HealthNet Plan, presented their perspective on chronic care issues in Southeastern Massachusetts. Audience members then posed questions to the panel and to Commissioner Auerbach. The event also provided an opportunity for Southeast Regional Public Health providers to resume their organizational meeting for SYNERGY, an effort to improve communication, efficiency and overall capacity among regional health organizations, CHNAs, emergency preparedness efforts, and the Center for Healthy Communities. Click here to see photos from the second Regional Dialogue held on October 23, 2007, in New Bedford. Click here to see photos from the first  Regional Health Dialogue held at Bristol Community College on June 7, 2007. For more information about these dialogues, contact Mr. O'Connor at 781-774-6608.

(Top row, left ) Participants in SYNERGY meet before the Regional Dialogue to revive efforts to better coordinate public health efforts in Southeastern Massachusetts. (Top row, center) Southeast Regional Director Ron O'Connor welcomes participants at the opening of the Dialogue. (Top row, right) Assistant Commissioner and Director of Communications Tom Lyons introduces the Commissioner. (Middle row, left) A participant poses a question about the lack of fluoridation of the public water supply on Cape Cod. (Middle row, right) Dr. Munson, Linda Gabruk and Steve Helme, standing, make brief presentations and then take questions. (Bottom row, left) Virginia Senna-Davis of the Diabetes Association poses a question about chronic care resources to the Commissioner and the panel.