A Message from the President

Dear Longwood,

As we inch our way into summer and the days get longer and warmer, we are thrilled to share that our Outside// program is in full swing as of this week. Since its inception in 2019, Outside// has transformed nearby private plazas and walkways into welcoming public spaces for all to enjoy, relax, have fun, and connect with one another. This initiative was made possible through our partnership with member institutions such as Boston Children's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

What began as a pilot project soon became an essential service during the challenging times of the pandemic and has now become a cornerstone program for our vibrant neighborhood. Last season, in 2022, we witnessed tremendous support and engagement from our community. With over 200 weekly attendees for our beloved Wag Wednesday dog program, 20 hours of live music performances every week, a diverse collection of 400+ titles in our Reading Room library, and the addition of two weekly fitness classes, Outside// truly became a hub of excitement and connection.

Our popular Wag Wednesday program and food truck programming began this week, adding to the music and fitness programs that are currently available. This year, we are excited to share that Bands on Blackfan will be returning on June 29th, marking its first appearance since 2019. This eagerly anticipated event will allow the Longwood Medical and Academic Area community to access an array of food from food trucks while enjoying performances of talented live musicians. Bands on Blackfan will continue throughout the summer, making our community spaces come alive with joy, relaxation, and accessibility for everyone.

As we embrace the return of summer, we also celebrate the vibrant spirit of Boston's 2023 Pride celebration. Longwood Collective stands in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community and proudly supports the festivities. We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where love, acceptance, and diversity thrive. Let us come together to honor and uplift the voices and experiences of our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. Join us as we revel in the celebrations, parades, and events that make Boston's Pride celebration an unforgettable experience.



We are excited to welcome you back to Outside// this summer, where we can continue to build a stronger, more connected Longwood community. 

Sincerely,

President and CEO

Photo Credit: Allegro Photography

"One Simmons has transformed every inch of this small, urban campus," said Regina Pisa, Simmons University Chair of the Board of Trustees. "We have created spaces for our students to collaborate, to relax, to socialize, and to learn. We have built a state-of-the-art lab facility with a 30-bed simulation center, which allows students and faculty to innovate together." Pisa spoke from a room in the library, a space that was "intentionally designed to welcome students together for conversation, study, and contemplation."

Wentworth Institute of Technology has recently unveiled its newly opened Robotics Lab, where students now have access to a wide range of equipment. The lab provides a spacious environment with scenic views of the city, offering ample room to experiment with cutting-edge robots such as the Logic pallet. Furthermore, the lab will continuously receive state-of-the-art teaching tools to ensure students have access to the latest advancements in robotics education.

Beautifying Longwood

A change in seasons marks a change in scenery as Longwood Collective's Area Planning department facilitated new spring plantings throughout the LMA as part of its beautification efforts. When you venture outside this summer, take a moment to enjoy Longwood's beauty with new plantings brought into our landscape.

City-Focused Transit Initiatives

Brookline Avenue re-striped and repaved for bicyclists, people on foot and in buses:

After collaboration with Longwood area cyclists, work with traffic consultants VHB, the Boston Transportation Department and the City’s Department of Public Works, the busiest section of Brookline Avenue was restriped and repaved based on designs developed by Longwood Collective. The City of Boston finished the repaving and restriping work and signage and flex posts in the outbound (from Boston) direction have been installed.

Prior to this repaving project, Brookline Avenue lacked bike accommodations on both sides of the road between Longwood Avenue and Riverway. Today, this busy section of the corridor includes a mix of shared lane markings, conventional bike lanes, protected bike lanes with flex posts and repainted MBTA bus and member shuttle stops and transition zones. This expansion of bike infrastructure will benefit nearly 500 daily cyclists who travel through this segment of Brookline Avenue.

Since 1971, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhood, the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population. Fenway was founded in 1971 as part of the free clinic movement by students who believed that “health care should be a right, not a privilege.”

In its early days, Fenway was a drop-in clinic providing free blood pressure checks and STD screenings. Over the years, Fenway obtained permanent space and incorporated as a freestanding health center with a staff of one volunteer doctor, one nurse and one intake worker. Today, Fenway Health has a budget of more than $131 million, a staff of more than 700 and a patient population of nearly 40,000. It also remains a leading destination for confidential HIV counseling and testing in the state, proudly serving as the primary outpatient provider for HIV/AIDS care in New England. Their pioneering work and unwavering dedication have made Fenway a beacon of hope and a sanctuary for countless individuals seeking compassionate care and understanding.



Experience the Portraits of Pride exhibit in the heart of Boston as the city pays tribute to its local LGBTQIA+ leaders. This showcase combines artistry and history, immersing visitors in a resplendent glow. From June 1 to June 30, City Hall Plaza transforms into a majestic backdrop adorned with the mesmerizing portraits of the 2023 honorees.

About Fresh's FreshTruck is back in the LMA this summer with their mobile market on Tuesdays from 2 - 4 p.m. at 86 Avenue Louis Pasteur. Stop by and enjoy something fresh and affordable from their selection of fruits and vegetables.

Upcoming Service Changes to the MBTA

Red Line

• Shuttle buses replace Red Line service between JFK/UMass and North Quincy from 8:45 PM to end of service the weeks of June 20 - June 22 and June 26 - June 29 for rail and tie replacement work.

• At Quincy Adams, direct Access between Independence Ave and the Quincy Adams 5th level garage elevator lobby will be unavailable between June 12 and August 4 to allow for rehabilitation of the 5th level pedestrian bridge.

Orange

• The Orange Line will bypass Haymarket station in both directions from June 12 - 25 to allow for work on the Government Center Garage demolition. An accessible shuttle will be available upon demand.

Green Line

• Green Line service will be suspended between North Station and Government Center from June 12 - 25 for work on the Government Center Garage demolition. An accessible shuttle will be available upon demand.

• Shuttle buses replace service between Union Square and Medford/Tufts and Government Center on the weekend of June 17 - 18 to allow for finishing work on the Green Line Extension.

Mass General Brigham Health Plan Ranked No. 1 in Member Satisfaction by J.D. Power

Mass General Brigham

“We are gratified to know that our members feel cared for,” said Steve Tringale, President, Mass General Brigham Health Plan. “Our ranking reflects and demonstrates our responsiveness to member feedback, our focus on the member experience, and our progress in advancing healthcare coverage that is accessible and affordable, with a focus on health equity. Providing innovative solutions and an exceptional member experience make Mass General Brigham Health Plan a popular choice among local employers.”

A multivitamin a day may keep your memory from fading, Boston researchers say

Boston Globe

Worried about getting forgetful as you get older? A multivitamin a day might help keep you sharp, according to a new study by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Columbia University. “Daily multivitamin supplementation, compared with placebo, improves memory. Multivitamin supplementation holds promise as a safe and accessible approach to maintaining cognitive health in older age,” said the study, published Wednesday in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Gardner Museum, Theater Offensive team up for inaugural 'Community Organization-in-Residence' program

Boston Globe

Over the past 30 years, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has collaborated with scores of individual artists through its residency program, forging ties with an international crew that includes writers, dancers, musicians, and visual artists, to name a few.

Klibanski sharpens focus on MGB’s massive research operations

Boston Globe

Back when she was chief academic officer at Mass General Brigham, Anne Klibanski saw firsthand the importance of medical research and how it both helped patients and lifted the region’s economy. Now, as MGB’s chief executive, Klibanski is trying to convince the public.

Millions of COVID patients still don’t have their sense of smell or taste, Mass Eye and Ear study finds

Boston Herald

Many of the patients who lost their sense of smell or taste following a COVID infection still have not fully recovered those senses, according to a new study out of Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Researchers at Mass Eye and Ear looked at the loss of olfactory and gustatory senses and estimated that about 25% of Americans who had COVID-19 reported only partial or no recovery of taste or smell.