Public Health in our Community: It Starts Here
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris will kick-off the City of Springfield’s Annual Public Health Month on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Barney Carriage House in Forest Park.
Since 1995, when the 1st full week of April was declared National Public Health Week, communities across the United States have observed this time as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the health of all people (It’s a time to unite around critical issues and focus our collective energy on the singular goal of helping people live longer, happier, healthier lives! This year’s National Theme for Public Health Week is “Public Health in our Community: It starts here!”
This April, 2025 marks the 29th year that the City of Springfield Health and Human Services Department has served as the local organizer of Public Health Month – a month long, City-wide celebration extended from “National Public Health Week.” Along with local partners, community-based organizations, health care providers, and public health advocates, we have created a full month’s calendar of activities in which residents can participate for FREE!
Aligned with the National Theme “Public Health in our Community: It starts here!”, the events of the month emphasize that public health is more than just health care! We take steps to make sure our neighborhoods and the environment are free from pollution, that our food and water are safe to consume, that public places like grocery stores, restaurants, daycare centers, health centers, summer camps, etc. are properly licensed. Public Health is also the relationships we foster in our communities. We're all interconnected. When we all come together to support public health, all of us — individuals, families, communities, and those of us in the public health field — WE can achieve the goals of public health.
The Public health month kick-off event will feature a facilitated panel discussion titled “It starts here: breaking barriers to youth wellbeing” which will speak to the themes of the month and important public health work happening locally.
The panel will be Moderated by Dr. Frank Robinson, Ph.D.
Panelists will include:
Tykie Green Jr.
Tykie Greene Jr. is a 20-year-old Springfield, MA native and the third oldest of 11 siblings. A graduate of Springfield Central High School, he is now a local entrepreneur running IceandIce413, a frozen treats company committed to serving all communities with affordable frozen treats. In addition to his business, Tykie teaches youth about financial literacy and the power of being your own boss through entrepreneurial programs and enrichments at several Springfield public schools. He is also a founding member of G.A.R.I. (Gambling Adolescent Research Initiative), a local initiative focused on addressing the misconceptions surrounding problem gambling.
Luz Z Lopez
Luz Z Lopez was born and raised in Springfield, MA. She is the mother of two amazing children and a social entrepreneur. Luz has extensive experience in finding new programs that address the needs of the people in the community. She specializes in Adult Foster Care, Care Coordination, Mental Health Services, Health Equity and Community Organizing. She is currently the Director of Breaking Oppression, Founder of Happy Care MA, Board President of the Public Health Institute of Western Mass, Co-Chair of the Baystate Medical Center Community Benefits Advisory Committee, Member of the Spring-field Dementia Friendly Coalition, Secretary of the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade Board and PTO Pres-ident of her children’s school. Luz takes pride in serving her family and her community.
Dr. Yolanda Marrow, DNP, RN
Dr. Marrow is a lifelong resident of Springfield, Massachusetts and distinguished healthcare profession-al with over 25 years of experience in Emergency and Trauma Nursing. Throughout her extensive career, she has worked in high-volume Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Centers, where she discovered her passion for educating and working with children and families. A strong advocate for children, Dr. Marrow is actively involved in her community, providing pediatric safety and injury prevention education. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Master of Science in Nursing in Education from Our Lady of the Elms College. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Dr. Marrow dedicates time to mentoring and coaching emerging leaders, nursing students, and high school students interested in healthcare careers. She is engaged in several professional committees, serves on the Board of Directors for Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services and the Elms College Alumni Board, and is a member of the Western Massachusetts Jack and Jill of America (WMJJOA). Dr. Marrow is a firm believer in job readiness and equity in education and healthcare. Her mission is to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools and strategies necessary for their success.
The Public Health Month Kickoff Event will also feature a poster session highlighting the contributions of 26 different local initiatives working across a broad range of public health topic areas. For more in-formation about the poster session contact Deputy Commissioner Ann Kissel at akissel@springfieldcityhall.com
The Springfield Department of Health and Human Services will also recognize two outstanding individuals in our community with the Commissioner’s Award and the Luminary Award during the Kick-off event. The Commissioner’s Award will be presented to Jeanne Clancy, M.Ed, BSN, RN, who has served as the Nursing Supervisor for Springfield Public Schools for many years. She has also been an active member of the Public Health Council for the City of Springfield, an advisory board that provides leader-ship and guidance on the city's most pressing public health issues. The Luminary Award will be presented to Dr. Yolanda Marrow, DNP, RN, a lifelong Springfield resident and distinguished healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience in Emergency and Trauma Nursing. She has worked in high-volume Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Centers, where she developed a passion for educating and supporting children and families. Dedicated to mentorship and community service, Dr. Marrow serves on several professional committees, holds board positions with Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services and the Elms College Alumni Board, and actively promotes equity in education and healthcare.
