News

Kathleen Szegda, Senior Director of Community Research and Evaluation, will be leaving the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts at the end of July. We are sad to see her go, but wish her the best in this next chapter. Kathleen will remain connected to PHIWM and continue supporting public health innovation through consulting.

Congratulations to Samantha Hamilton and the other 11 PathBreakers featured in The Kresge Foundation's 2024 annual report. Read her story and look out for her upcoming interview on the PathBreakers podcast .

Jessica Collins and Liv Anna Homstead published in Vaccine

Access webinar materials from the June 25, 2025 webinar, Fighting for Air: Updates on the proposed biomass plant in Springfield : Recording This webinar featured: State Senator Adam Gomez Attorney Michael Fenton, Springfield City Council President Rusty Polsgrove, Associate Director, Arise for Social Justice Dr. Matthew Sadof, pediatrician, Baystate Health Sarita Hudson, Senior Director of Strategy and Development, Public Health Institute of Western MA Learn more about the bills discussed in the webinar: H.3549 / S.2288 - An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants H.3548/S. S.2287 - An Act limiting the eligibility of woody biomass as an alternative energy supply View some of the media coverage of the event: Webinar held to address possible Springfield biomass plant, Western Mass News, 6/25/25 Battle over proposed Springfield biomass plant rages on, New England Public Media, 6/26/25 Foes, officials won’t shrink from fight to keep ‘Frankenstein’ plant out of city, The Republican, 6/26/25 Health advocates warn proposed wood-burning plant in Springfield will worsen asthma rates, CommonWealth Beacon, 7/1/25 Springfield leaders continue fight against biomass plant, The Reminder, 7/2/25