Representatives of the functioning CHNAs (Community Health Network Areas) across Massachusetts gathered at the Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlboro, MA, on October 23, 2013 for the first statewide Inter-CHNA Leadership Roundtable. The event offered participants the opportunity to learn about one another's organization, share common concerns and brainstorm ways that the system of CHNAs could be strenthened. Office of Healthy Communities Director Cathy O’Connor and MTCP.Director of Policy and Planning Eileen Sullivan opened the meeting with an overview of the role and function of CHNAs. Wendy Garf-Lipp of Fall River then lead a "speed dating" style exercise on best practices that permitted members of different CHNAs to get to know one another. Steve Ridini of Health Reasources in Action then led the group through a visioning exercise, and the meeting concluded with a discussion on identifying strategic directions. Click here for a 16-minute video of the conference. Click here for a two-hour 20-minute video of the entire conference. Click here for photos of the Southeast InterCHNA gathering. For more information, contact  Wendy Garf-Lipp at 508-324-7900.

(Top row, left and ) Office of Healthy Communities Director Cathy O’Connor and MA DPH Chief of Staff Eileen Sullivan open the Roundtable session. (Top row, center) A Health Resources in Action staff member hands New Bedford Allies Coordinator Elizabeth Leatham, Partners School Wellness Corrdinator Marcia Picard and Partners Inter-CHNA liaison Wendy Garf-Lipp their name tags. (Row two) Patti Jean Horton of the Plymouth CHNA shares her best practices during the "speed dating" exercise and then talks with Cathy afterwards. (Row three) Wendy Garf-Lipp leads the group through the "speed dating" exercise where members share their best practices with one another. (Bottom row) Participants talk about next steps while Judi Foley and Steve Ridini of Health Resources in Action process the morning's work.