The Gail Douglas Award is annual award recognizing excellence in public health practice to acknowledge an
outstanding member of the public health practice community.

Ron O’Connor, Director, Office of Local and Regional Health at Massachusetts Department of Public Health, has shown 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). When Ron assumed his position at the helm of the OLRH, he re-envisioned the Office to better serve the needs of the local Boards of Health across the Commonwealth.

Moreover, Ron has improved statewide efficiencies with a project aimed at optimizing shared services across communities.  Ron has worked with faculty and staff at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) to help ensure that the training needs of the public health workforce are met.  Additionally, he has served as a crucial partner to the Local Public Health Institute (LPHI) for the past several years. Ron has served as a supervisor and mentor to four different BUSPH graduate students conducting public health practice Fellowship. During his mentorship, he has involved them in facilitating the work of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health, and provided them an excellent hands-on experience in the operation of a program designed to improve the delivery of public health services across Massachusetts.

For many years, Ron has provided guidance and support to the Activist Lab as a valued member of our Practice Advisory Board. The Activist Lab and the Local Public Health Institute is very appreciative for his dedication to service and public health!