Commissioner John Auerbach joined staff and others on October 7, 2008, for the opening of the new Southeast Regional Health Office at 1736 Purchase Street in New Bedford. The event also provided an opportunity for Southeast Regional Public Health providers to hold a meeting of SYNERGY, an effort to improve communication, efficiency and overall capacity among CHNAs, local boards of health, emergency preparedness efforts,  and the Southeast Center for Healthy Communities. New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang was on hand to welcome DPH to the City. Guests for the opening event included the health directors for both Fall River and New Bedford as well as a number of agency directors, including Nancy Paull, Executive Director of Stanley Street Treatment and Resources (SSTAR) in Fall River. Click here to see photos of the May 20th regional health dialogue in Plymouth. 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 the SE Regional Office, contact Regional Director Ron O'Connor at 508-984-0615

(Top row, left ) Commissioner Auerbach addresses the SYNERGY meeting as Senior Policy Advisor Geoff Wilkinson listens. (Top row, center) Members of the SYNERGY group meet to plan future activities that can benefit the Southeast Region. (Top row, right) Southeast Regional staff and others gather for the opening event. (Middle row, left and right) Commissioner Auerbach and New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang cut the ribbon on the facility door before being greeted by SSTAR Executive Director Nancy Paull. (Bottom row, center) New Bedford Public Health Director Marianne DeSouza and Fall River Health and Human Services Director Dr. Henry Vaillancourt are introduced at the event. (Bottom row, right) Southeast Regional Director Ron O'Connor thanks everyone for attending.