Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner John Auerbach held his fifth Southeast Regional Health Dialogue. a statewide series discussion on New Priorities in Public Health Policy and Programs, on March 21, 2011 at the Middleborough Town Hall. The session provided the opportunity for the public to meet the Commissioner and members of his senior staff  to discuss how to strengthen public health in this challenging economic environment. The Commissioner used the forum to talk about last year's priorities and to then discuss five possible new priority areas (see bottom center photo) for the Department in the next four years of the Patrick administration. During the remainder of the session, the Commissioner fielded questions from the audience that ranged from concerns about anticipated reductions in funding for early intervention programs to praise for programs such as the Mass In Motion initiative. Click here to see photos from last year's Dialogue and links to the other three years. Click here for a short   video of the event. For more information, contact Ron O''Connor at the DPH Southeast Regional Health Office at 508-984-0615.

(Top row, left ) David Ramos, Hope House Director, chats with Dr. Henry Vaillancourt, Director of Health and Human Services for the City of Fall River, before the start of the forum. (Top row, center) Commissioner Auerbach welcomes people to the fifth annual Dialogue that has been held in Southeastern Massachusetts. (Top row, right) Middleborough Health Officer Jeanne Spaulding welcomes the Commissioner to the town. (Middle row, left) New Bedford Mass In Motion coordinator Pauline Hamel listens intently as Commissioner Auerbach outlines the proposed Departmental priorities for the coming four years, including 1) promoting wellness and reducing chronic disease, 2) reducing disparities and promoting health equity, 3) supporting the success of health care reform, 4) reducing youth violence, and 5) supporting local and state public health. (Bottom row) Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Commissioner, Geoff Wilkinson takes the microphone to members of the audience who wish to make a statement or ask a question.