Last month, over 700 public health, health care, school and community leaders joined Commissioner Auerbach at the DPH-sponsored "Responding to H1N1 Influenza: Lessons Learned" conference at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.

 
The day- long event provided an opportunity to review lessons learned and highlight best practices from the 2009-2010 H1N1 flu season. Presenters from a variety of fields and disciplines shared their experiences on topics ranging from patient education, vaccine distribution, outreach to vulnerable populations and non-traditional partnerships.

 
In addition, Commissioner Auerbach presented Public Health Hero awards to thirteen organizations who took extraordinary steps during the pandemic. The ceremony was an opportunity for DPH to publicly recognize the hard work and dedication of these organizations which helped protect the health of the public and reduce the number of people who developed serious illness and the number who died.

Public Health Hero Award Winners

Coalition for Local Public Health

Commonwealth Medicine Office of Health Care Finance 

Massachusetts Association of Health Plans

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents

Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services Regions

Massachusetts Hospital Association

Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers 

Massachusetts Medical Society

Massachusetts School Nurse Organization

 
Massachusetts Section of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists

Medical Reserve Corps units of Massachusetts

Northeastern University School Health Institute 

Statewide Emergency Preparedness Coalitions    

An archived webcast of the entire conference – including all breakout sessions, presentations and the award ceremony – is available on our website.