3RD ANNUAL
HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT FORUM
Advancing Primary Care. Strengthening Communities.
- Thursday, November 12, 2026
- 3:00–7:30 p.m.
- Coolidge Hall, Topsfield Fairgrounds
- Topsfield, Massachusetts
Our program will be recorded by Beverly Community Access Media (BEVCAM).
The Forum is sponsored by the Northeast Medical Caucus, a coalition of over 1,200 physicians in Essex and Middlesex counties.
This year, we will be highlighting
primary care medicine.
An Afternoon of Dialogue. Three Important Conversations.
The Northeast Medical Caucus is pleased to present the 3rd Healthcare Improvement Forum. This year’s Forum will bring together healthcare professionals, students, policymakers, community leaders and members of the public for thoughtful dialogue on addiction and mental health, healthcare policy and the future of primary care in Massachusetts.
We look forward to welcoming attendees to Coolidge Hall at the Topsfield Fairgrounds.
2026 Forum Agenda
PART
01
3:00-4:30 pm
Addiction and Mental Health
The first hour of the Forum will focus on addiction and mental health.
Professionals and representatives from organizations working in the prevention and treatment of addictions are being invited to participate.
Many professionals who attended the first two Forums are looking forward to returning.
SPEAKER
Rep Hannah Bowen
Massachusetts 6th Essex District
Legislating Health Policy : The View from Beacon Hill
SPEAKER
Christopher Shanahan, MD
Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain (MCSTAP)
“Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder: Two Sides of the Same Coin—An Evidence-Based Approach to Integrated Care”
SPEAKER
Heidi Ginter, MD
President-Elect, Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine
“The Mission, Values, and Priorities of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine”
SPEAKER
Amanda Consigli, MPH
Massachusetts Public Health Analyst
Overdose Response StrategyCDC Foundation
“The Changing Landscape of Drug
Supply – Part 1″
SPEAKER
Drug Intelligence Officer
New England HIDTA
“The Changing Landscape of the Drug Supply – Part 2”
PART
02
4:30–6:00 p.m.
Healthcare Policy Debate
The second part of the Forum will be a healthcare policy debate among medical students.
- Question 1: MASSACHUSETTS PRIMARY CARE LEGISLATIONWill pending Massachusetts’ primary care legislation materially improve access and continuity of care, or will it fall short without deeper financing and workforce changes?
- Question 2: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PRIMARY CAREWill AI meaningfully improve care for patients and clinicians over the next five years, or will its risks and burdens outweigh the benefits?
- Question 3 : CIVIC ASSEMBLIESCan a representative group of ordinary residents chosen by lottery, given the necessary logistical support, contribute to better and more legitimate healthcare policy recommendations?
MODERATOR
Emergency Medicine PhysicianHealth Economist, Harvard Medical School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
PART
03
6:00-7:30 pm
Invited Speakers and Panel Discussion
FEATURED SPEAKER
Professor of Economics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
FEATURED SPEAKER
Founder, Massachusetts Primary Care Alliance for Patients
Professor, UMass Chan Medical School
President-Elect, Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians
OUR SPONSORS
We thank our sponsors for supporting open dialogue, informed debate, and collaborative efforts to improve healthcare in our communities.
MFM Health
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership
North Shore Community Health
Congenial Healthcare
Overdose Response Strategy : CDC Foundation
New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Essex South District Medical Society
AT A GLANCE
DATE
Thursday,
November 12, 2026
TIME
3:00–7:30 p.m.
VENUE
Topsfield Fairgrounds
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Elected officials, physicians,health professionals, and anyone interested in how our healthcare is delivered.
PROGRAM
panel discussion
REGISTRATION
to be confirmed
Michael Medlock, MD
Forum Director
QUESTIONS?
Contact the Forum team for event, registration, sponsorship or media enquiries.