Jana Ferguson, Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, announced on the Inter-agency Local Boards of Health COVID-19 webinar held today Tuesday, December 1st, at 3:00 p.m. that Ron O’Connor, Director, Office of Local and Regional Health at Massachusetts Department of Public Health, has been awarded the Third Annual Dr. Al DeMaria Jr. Public Health Achievement Award for his exemplary service to local public health professionals. Ron has made outstanding contributions in public health practice through the work he has done at the Office of Local and Regional Health (OLRH) at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH).  Most notably, he has improved statewide efficiencies with programs focused on optimizing shared services across communities. Ron has worked tirelessly with local health departments during the entire COVID-19 pandemic including his work with MAHB, the Coalition of Local Public Health and  facilitating the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health.  The leadership, staff and members of MAHB want to warmly congratulate Ron for this  most  recent  honor.