Massachusetts Association of Health Boards
About MAHB
A non-profit organization providing local boards of health with education, technical assistance, and resource development
History
Founded in 1990, the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards (MAHB) has been at the forefront of public health advocacy. Over the decades, MAHB has evolved from a small coalition into a pivotal organization, marking significant milestones such as the introduction of comprehensive training programs for health officials and the establishment of a robust network for resource sharing. Our history is a testament to our unwavering commitment to enhancing the capabilities of health boards across the state.
Our Mission to Serve
Mission & Objectives
MAHB’s mission is to assist and support boards of health in meeting their statutory and service responsibilities, through programs of education, technical assistance, representation, and resource development. Massachusetts Boards of Health are responsible under general laws, state and local regulations, for disease prevention and control, health and environmental protection, and promoting a healthy community.
MAHB Staff
Cheryl Sbarra JD
Executive Director
Senior Staff Attorney and Director of Policy and Law
Elaine La Coursiere Elaine La Coursiere
Financial Manager
Chrystal LaPine
Region 5 HMCC Coordinator
Mike Hugo J.D.
Director of Strategies and Government Relations
Officers and Executive Committee Members
Marcia Testa MPH, PhD.
President
Member Board: Chair, Wellesley Board of Health; Executive Committee Member since 2006
Christopher Quinn M.D.
Vice President
Past President MAHB, 2011 – 2017, Past Member Sherborn Board of Health
Joan M. Jacobs
Secretary/Clerk
Executive Committee Member since 1997
Marcia Rising
Treasurer
Member Board: Stow Board of Health; Executive Committee Member since 1987
Executive Committee Members
John Dougherty
Executive Committee Member since 2012
Hanover Board of Health, Owner, Briggs Stable
Edward Cosgrove PhD
Executive Committee Member since 2016
Needham Board of Health; Professor of Microbiology at Northeastern and Psychopharmacology at U Mass Boston; former Assistant Commissioner, MDPH
MAHB Associate Members and Former Executive Committee Members (Past 20 Years)
Peter Connolly M.D.
MAHB Associate Member, Former MAHB Executive Committee Member (2003 - December, April, 2012)
Former Needham Board of Health Member
Current Position: Internal Medicine Physician, Needham, MA
Richard Edgehille
MAHB Associate Member, Former MAHB Executive Committee Member (2007 - May, 2015)
Past Member, Hanson MA Board of Health and Past Secretary/Clerk MAHB;; Executive Committee Member 2007 – 2015
David Alper D.P.M.
MAHB Associate Member, Former MAHB Executive Committee Member (2017 - April, 2018)
Past Member, Belmont Board of Health
Current Position: Podiatric Medicine Physician;
Laura Housman MPH
MAHB Associate Member, Former MAHB Executive Committee Member (2016 - December, 2021)
Former Framingham Board of Health, Founder, Access Solutions Consulting. Ms Housman holds a Master of Business Administration with honors from Boston University Graduate School of Management, a Master of Public Health with specialization in Health Services from Boston University School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from Boston University College of Arts and Sciences.
Ray Considine
MAHB Associate Member, Former MAHB Executive Committee Member (2018 - May 2022)
Concord Board of Health
1989 – 2016: President and CEO, Health Resources in Action: 2017 – present: Managing Co-Trustee at Susan A. and Donald P. Babson Foundation; Adjunct Faculty, Regis College, Graduate Program in Health Administration-School of Health Sciences
Masters of Social Work and Bachelors of Political Science and Education.
Empowering Boards of Health
Joining the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards enhances your local health board's capabilities while connecting you with a dedicated network of professionals committed to community health.