Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends and Partners,

As I reflect on this past year at the Greater Lowell Health Alliance, I am filled with pride in the incredible strides we have made toward strengthening community health across the region. One of our most exciting accomplishments was securing a transformational $300,000 six-month planning grant from the Atrius Health Foundation for the Healthy Youth and Parents Through Partnership & Empowerment (HYPPE) Project. This project has the potential to bring nearly $5 million in funding over five years, marking one of the largest investments in GLHA’s history. This milestone underscores our commitment to expanding programs, deepening partnerships, and ensuring long-term organizational sustainability.

Our success in diversifying and expanding our funding base did not stop there. New grants from Beth Israel Lahey Health, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and other valued partners have allowed us to enhance key initiatives aligned with our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). These investments are driving progress in areas like maternal and child health, substance use prevention, and support for underserved populations such as seniors and the LGBTQ+ community. In parallel, our signature events—including the Perinatal Health Conference, Merrimack Valley Substance Use Disorder Summit, and PRIDE Festival—continued to engage hundreds of community members, foster collaboration, and raise vital funds to fuel our work.

Looking ahead, our focus is clear: implementing the findings from our comprehensive 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, solidifying post-DON funding strategies, and expanding programming that is data-driven and community-informed. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated Board, committed staff, and partners whose collaboration and trust have propelled GLHA’s growth. Together, we will continue to lead efforts that improve health outcomes and equity across Greater Lowell.

I would also like to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to Susan West-Levine, who is concluding her service as Board Chair and longtime member of the GLHA Board of Directors. Her leadership, vision, and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Alliance and advancing our mission. We are profoundly grateful for her many years of commitment to improving the health of Greater Lowell.

At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Nicole Champagne as our new Board Chair. Nicole brings deep expertise in public health and a strong commitment to collaboration, and I look forward to working with her to build on our successes and guide the Alliance into its next exciting chapter.

With gratitude, Kerrie D’Entremont Executive Director, Greater Lowell Health Alliance