Representatives of all six CHNAs (Community Health Network Areas) in Southeastern Massachusetts gathered at the LifeHouse Church in Middleborough for the fourth Inter-CHNA conference on May 15, 2013. The conference supported a continuing conversation among CHNA members on a number of topics.. Following opening remarks by Massachusetts Department of Public Health Southeast Regional Director Ron O'Connor, Deputy Field Director of the Mass. Public Health Association, Andrea Freeman, gave a presentation that clarified the differences among advocacy, education and lobbying, especially as it applies to the work in which CHNA members often engage. Following a brief stretch break led by Annemarie Sharkey and Brittany Bertone of Partners for a Healthier Community, Mr. O'Connor led a discussion on the kinds of things that the Inter-CHNA group could do to advance a public health mission in Southeastern Massachusetts. Click here for a video of the conference. Click here for photos of the March Inter-CHNA conference. For more information, contact Southeast Regional DPH Director Ron O'Connor at 508-984-0615.

(Top row, center) Barbara Aksen, Elizabeth Leatham and Judith Coykendall from the New Bedford Allies for Health and Wellness CHNA sign in with Marcia Picard of Fall River's Partners for a Healthier Community CHNA at the LifeHouse Church in Middleborough. (Top row, right) Pattijean Horton of Health Imperatives in Brockton talks with Andy Robinson of MassTAPP before the conference begins. (Row two)Massachusetts Department of Public Health Southeast Regional Director Ron O'Connor introduces Mass. Public Health Association Deputy Field Director Andrea Freeman. (Row three) Andrea explains the differences among advocacy, education and lobbying for those involved in CHNA work. (Row four) South Coast Regional Network to End Homelessness director Janet Richardi and Andy Robinson contribute their ideas about what the Inter-CHNA group could do on a variety of public health issues in Southeastern Massachusetts. (Bottom row, left and center) Tom Hannigan, Leonard Pittsley and Lois Neilson all engage in discussion both before and after the session. (Bottom row, right) Nadia Chamblin-Foster and Paulo Gomes of Steward Healthcare chat with Andrea before the conference concludes.