Over 225 people gathered in the Commonwealth Center at Bristol Community College on September 18, 2013 to celebrate twenty years of progress by Greater Fall River Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. Following a buffet dinner, the group settled in for a 35-minute video retrospective of the organization's history scripted by Department of Public Health (DPH) official Michael Coughlin and edited by Partners Executive Director Dr.David Weed, both of whom have been with the organization since its inception. Following the video, twenty representatives of organizations who have played a key role in improving the health of the community were recognized and presented certificates. Mayor William Flanagan, who himself received a recognition award, also presented Dr. Weed with a citation from the City of Fall River for the work of the organization through the years. Mr. Coughlin also presented posthumous awards to the family of Saint Anne's Hospital Vice President Paul Quinn and DPH consultant Peter Lee. Mr. Quinn had been a longtime supporter of the group and Mr. Lee consulted frequently on the Healthy City Fall River project during its development. For more information about the organization, contact Dr. Weed at 508-324-2411. (Photos courtesy of Ron O'Connor)

(Top row, left) United Neighbors Executive Director Wendy Garf-Lipp is interviewed by Fall River Community Media staff member Steve Rys for a later show about the event. (Top row, right) Former Partners Steering Committee Treasurer Joe Borges is greeted by Michael Coughlin. (Row two) Steering Committee Chairman Jamison Souza welcomes the audience and invites them to the buffet table. (Row three) Guests, including Gladys Rosofsky and Nicole Fortier, view a videotaped message from Robert Wood Johnson CEO Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey and then watch a 35-minute video retrospective of the organizations's twenty year history that ended with reactions to the Roadmaps to Health Prize earlier in the year. (Row four) Mr. Coughlin shares his recollections of longtime consultant Peter Lee who passed away late last year before Dr. Weed recognizes representatives of both Southcoast and Saint Anne's Hospital and then members of the media, including Phil Sabatino and Rene Kochman of Fall River Government Television and Herald NewsPublisher Lisa Stratton. (Bottom row) Mr. Coughlin presents a posthumous award to the wife and daughter of Saint Anne's Hospital Vice President Paul Quinn before Mayor Flanagan presents a citation to Partners and DPH Office of Healthy Communities director Cathy O'Connor praises the work of the organization.