The Massachusetts Department of Public Health held one of seven in its seventh round of Regional Health Dialogues at Bristol Community College on March 28, 2012. Commissioner John Auerbach presented on "The Public Health Department of the Future" before taking questions from the participants. Changes in how health insurance will be provided in the coming decade and the importance of preventive care were among the topics he discussed to help the audience understand the future direction of the Department. The Commissioner sounded an optimistic note that cuts in next year's budget do not appear to be as drastic as the Department has experienced over the past four years, and the federal government appears to be supporting the provision of new prevention funds through the Public Health Trust Fund despite recent cuts in future funding by the Obama Administration. Click here for the Herald News article and here for their one-minute video. Click here for the full   video of the event. Click here for the presentation overhead slides. Click here to see photos from last year's Dialogue and links to the other four years. For more information, contact Ron O''Connor at the DPH Southeast Regional Health Office at 508-984-0615.

(Top row, center ) Pat Emsellem of Stanley Street Treatment and Resources talks with Commissioner Auerbach before the Dialogue. (Top row, right) Partners for a Healthier Community school wellness coordinator Marcia Picard, Greater New Bedford Allies for Health and Wellness coordinator Elizabeth Leatham, and Southcoast YMCA vice-president of operations Nancy Bonell chat before the program begins. (Row two, left) Bristol Community College president Jack Sbrega greets Rev. Dr. M.M. Campbell. (Row two, right) Somerset Town Nurse Tammy LaMothe and Medical Reserve Corps coordinator Alvin McMahon talk with Fall River Health and Human Services director Henry Vaillancourt, M.D. (Row three) Former Senator and current BCC vice-president Joan Menard and director of the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention Cheryl Bartlett listen with the audience as Commissioner Auerbach makes his opening remarks. (Row four, let) Marion-Rochester Regional Health District health director Karen Walega poses a question as Judith Coykendall, Marcia Picard and Angela Bannister listen. (Bottom row) New Bedford town nurse Andrea Lague and regional tobacco control coordinator Marilyn Edge pose questions and provide information to the Commissioner.