2025 Membership Retreat “The Future in Focus: Innovation, Strategy, and Action for Community Health”
Hilton Garden Inn, Worcester, Worcester, MA
Friday, November 14, 2025
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
iCalendar
Eastern Standard Time
2025 Membership Retreat
“The Future in Focus: Innovation, Strategy, and Action for Community Health”
Friday, November 14th, 2025 8:30AM-3:30PM
Hilton Garden Inn, Worcester 35 Major Taylor Boulevard, Worcester, MA 01608
Welcome and Introductions
- Michael Curry, President & CEO, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
- Karen Gardner, CEO, Community Health Center of Cape Cod and Board Chair, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
- Dr. Cheryl Clark, SVP and Executive Director, Institute for Health Equity - “Research as a North Star”
Sessions
Keynote Address
- Mike Levine, Undersecretary for MassHealth
Policy Roundtable: Federal Affairs and the Road Forward
- Joe Dunn, Chief Policy Officer, National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
- Stephanie Krenrich, Senior Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs, Advocates for Community Health (ACH)
- Colleen Meiman, National Policy Advisor for State and Regional Associations of Community Health Centers (PCAs)
Brief Description: Three national leaders in community health center policy and advocacy share their insights on the current state of federal affairs and opportunities for partnership. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of emerging national priorities and learn strategies to strengthen advocacy efforts across Massachusetts and beyond.
Changemakers: Early AI Adopters in Community Health
- Susan Adams, VP, Health Informatics, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
- Various Health Center Leaders (TBA)
Brief Description: A healthier community requires more than medicine: It demands access, efficiency, and equity. This session showcases how Community Health Centers are writing a new kind of prescription powered by AI.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Discover key findings from our member-wide AI survey and learn how the Mass League is acting with urgency and intent to address the specific AI readiness gaps and seize upon the biggest opportunities identified by you and your peers.
- Optimizing the Front Lines: Through a TED Talk–style program featuring community health leaders, learn how health centers are strategically partnering with AI vendors to improve access, enhance health equity, and reduce costs.
Planning the Path Ahead: Leveraging FAST and Supplemental Funding to Transform Your Business
- Peter Epp, Partner & Community Health Center Practice Leader, CohnReznick Advisory LLC
- Aparna Mekala, Partner, CohnReznick Advisory LLC
Brief Description: During this session, CohnReznick will:
- Reinforce the importance of immediate action and how your FQHC can use the Financial Assessment and Strategy Toolkit (FAST) to move confidently toward a resilient future.
- Share concrete ideas, including case studies, about how your FQHC can use one (1) time funding, such as supplemental funding from the state, to implement strategies for sustainability and growth, with an eye toward demonstrating value and showing an eventual ROI.
Your Image, Your Voice: Navigating the Media and Crisis Communications
- Diana Pisciotta, President, Denterlein
- Leo Ruiz, Vice President, Denterlein
Brief Description: In today’s fast-moving media environment, strong communications strategies are essential. Denterlein, a leading public relations firm, will guide attendees in understanding and engaging effectively with the media—helping health centers tell their stories authentically and maintain control of their message during times of crisis.