What's next for MPHA

Massachusetts Public Health Association

Action for Equity in Health

April 2017

In This Issue:

It's National Public Health Week, which is a reminder of how much there is to do to protect and promote wellness and justice, especially at this moment in history.

Check out APHA's webpage on National Public Health Week for ways to get involved locally and nationally. I also want to take this moment to introduce you to the national organization, Human Impact Partners , doing some exciting work with a new project called Public Health Awakened. This project is expressly focused on advocating for and protecting the core determinants of health like housing, food security, access to transportation, and wages. For more information on this group check out its website , here .

On a personal note, for the past three years, I have had the honor of serving as the Executive Director of MPHA. I have loved working with you, the MPHA Board, and staff to achieve real wins for health equity in Massachusetts. As the MPHA Board announced last month, April 14th will be my last day with MPHA. I am deeply proud of everything that we have achieved together and I am thrilled that Jodie Silverman is coming on to serve as the full-time Interim Executive Director. Please join me in welcoming Jodie!

Also, please join us as we celebrate MPHA wins, honor health equity champions, and mobilize for the future at MPHA's 15th Annual Spring Awards Breakfast on June 2nd. Reserve you place soon to take advantage of our early bird rates. See all of the details below.

Stay-tuned for opportunities to take action for health equity - check out our Action Center for the latest! Next week, the House Ways and Means Budget will be released and we will be looking to you to help us ensure sufficient funding for health equity programs.

Thank you for everything that you do.

Onward,

Rebekah Gewirtz

Executive Director

MPHA Updates

Are you an Early Bird?

Take advantage of our early bird special: reduced ticket prices to MPHA's Spring Awards Breakfast are only available through April 28th. Tickets sell out quickly so don't wait! The Spring Awards Breakfast is the signature public health networking event in the Commonwealth. Please join us in honoring our awardees:

Don't miss out on an invigorating and inspiring morning on June 2nd.

Purchase your tickets at the discounted rate here!

A special thank you to Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel who is serving as the Honorary Chair to the Spring Awards Breakfast.

Thank you to our generous sponsors to date:

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Benefactor

Patron Sponsors

Alfred DeMaria, Jr. | Denterlein Worldwide | John Snow, Inc. | University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences | M+R Strategic Services

Thank you to our sustaining Advocate, Bronze and Silver members and partners in public health:

To learn more about sponsoring this event or advertising in our program book, please contact MPHA Events and Admin Manager, Alexa Piacenza at: [email protected] or at 857-163-7072, ext. 114.

Introducing MPHA's Interim Director Jodie Silverman


	Jodie Silverman, MPA

Last month, MPHA's board announced that MPHA's Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz is leaving the organization in April to lead the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter, where she worked tirelessly for nine years before coming to MPHA. While the MPHA Board and staff are sad to lose Rebekah, we are thrilled that Jodie Silverman will come on as full-time Interim Executive Director beginning April 18, 2017.

Jodie is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in public health, social justice and related issues, in both the public and nonprofit sectors. She has strong leadership experience, and has set key agendas, raised funds, and led teams to great success. Jodie is also deeply knowledgeable about MPHA's work and mission. She has been an active and invaluable MPHA volunteer for more than five years. Most recently she has served as the Vice President of MPHA's Board and the Chair of the Development Committee. Jodie is taking a leave from these roles to serve as the interim Executive Director.

Jodie previously worked at ReThink Health as the Director of Communications and Influence, developing and implementing ReThink Health's communications and influence strategy to help advance its mission. Prior to her work at ReThink Health, Jodie worked at Health Resources in Action (HRIA) for more than ten years. At HRIA, Jodie oversaw the development and execution of a variety of public health strategies with particular emphasis on communications, policy, and systems change approaches. Read on

Policy Notes

MPHA Testifies Before Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy

On Monday, April 3, 2017 MPHA Policy Director Maddie Ribble testified before the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy at a public hearing at the State House. Maddie urged the legislature to address three areas that MPHA has identified as deserving particular attention in the implementation of recreational marijuana policy in Massachusetts. These areas are 1) promoting racial equity, 2) protecting youth, and 3) providing for appropriate oversight and data collection.

Click here to read MPHA's written testimony to the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy.

MPHA Facilitating 2017 Policy Assembly in Western Massachusetts

On Wednesday, April 26, 2017 MPHA is facilitating an advocacy workshop hosted by UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences and the Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network. Come learn how you can help advocate for state policy priorities that advance health equity in Western Massachusetts. Policies to be addressed include food security, transportation, economic justice, and community-clinical health integration.

There's no cost to participate, but you must register . More info

Public Health News

Forum: Moving Beyond Stigma

Prejudicial beliefs and attitudes associated with mental and substance use disorders are significant barriers to care. Moving Beyond Stigma will cover institutional, public and personal stigma, elucidate the factors that influence negative perceptions of mental and substance use disorders, highlight the impact of stigma, and explore strategies for change.

Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Time: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA

Panel discussions will include: community leaders sharing their personal journeys of stigma; first-responders; and business leaders. The expected attendees to this conference include policymakers, academics, business and community leaders, clinicians, families, and first responders. Read on

Member Corner

Announcing a New MPHA Membership Benefit!

MPHA has partnered with the MIT Press to offer MPHA members a 30% discount on all MIT Press public health titles. While applicable for use on the MIT Press website only, this code can be used more than once, for multiple titles at a time, and for both print and MIT Press e-editions. Happy reading from MPHA and the MIT Press!

Lookout for your membership code on Wednesday April 12th. Not yet a member? Ready to renew? Joining is easy. Click here to become a member. Read on

MPHA Staff Update

MPHA Welcomes New Finance and Operations Manager

MPHA is pleased to welcome Nopalzin Torres as Finance and Operations Manager. Nopalzin began his career in the advertising world, working at several Boston-based agencies. Desiring to join a more mission-focused organization, Nopalzin has most recently served at Science Club for Girls and the Central Square Theater in Cambridge. Nopalzin prides himself on maintaining a well-rounded Operations skill set and has experience in Accounting/Finance, Administration, Human Resources, and Information Technology. He's excited to join MPHA where he can be a part of an organization dedicated to creating healthy and equitable communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Upcoming Events

4.7.16: The Future of Local Public Health. Hosted by the Public Health Museum in Tewksbury. Sponsored by the Coalition for Local Public Health. More information and registration, here.

4.9.17: 6th Annual Spring Fundraiser to Benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts. Jamaica Plain. More information and registration, here.

4.24.17: Inequality and Health in the US: A Symposium. Boston. Hosted by Harvard Medical School Center for Community Care. More information and registration, here.

4.25.17: Healthy Communities: Health Equity and Environmental Justice Symposium. Hosted by Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network. For more information email Risa Silverman at: [email protected].

4.27.17: Jane Doe Inc.'s 2017 Prevention Summit: Transforming Communities. Worcester. More information and registration, here.

4.28.17: Stand Against Racism--Community Forum. Worcester. Hosted by YWCA Central Massachusetts. More information and registration, here.

The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) is the champion for public health in the Commonwealth. We are the catalyst for change, eliminating health inequities and creating healthy communities for all. For more information, visit us at mapublichealth.org or call 857.263.7072.