What is the MAAP Summit? 

MAAP’s Annual Summit offers members a unique opportunity to network and gain valuable insights from a respected keynote speaker, other presenters, and in breakout sessions. This engaging, interactive, in-person event lasts for one day and is completely FREE to attend. Stay tuned for updates on the 2025 Summit, which will focus on Air Quality and Asthma. 

Who is Invited to Attend?  

  • Representatives from asthma coalitions 

  • State and local asthma programs 

  • Community organizations 

  • Healthcare professionals 

  • School nurses 

  • Environmental health workers 

  • All stakeholders concerned about and/or involved in asthma care across New England. 

Highlights from the 2024 MAAP Summit: Asthma in a Changing Climate – Collaborative Strategies for Resilience

Over 80 participants attended the 2024 MAAP Summit, where we explored innovative, community-driven strategies for addressing asthma in the context of climate change. 

Keynote Address by Destiny Gonzalez 

Destiny Gonzalez delivered an inspiring keynote focused on Lawrence Pa’lante, a groundbreaking initiative that integrates urban planning, advocacy, and community empowerment to create safer, cooler, and more affordable transportation options. Her presentation underscored the connection between extreme heat, air quality, and the impacts on environmental justice communities like Lawrence. 

Breakout Sessions 

The Summit featured a series of engaging breakout sessions centered around equity and community-based approaches to building resilience in the face of climate change: 

  • Cynthia Espinosa Marrero (HRiA) led a session on relationship-building in community engagement, emphasizing power-sharing as a vital tool for sustainable collaboration. 

  • Rita Longe (Revitalize CDC) facilitated a session on maintaining healthy housing and living spaces, where participants brainstormed solutions through case studies on mold and moisture. 

  • Karina Ramos and Sarah Kielsmeier-Jones (MyRWA) presented the CLEANAIR Study, a community-based outdoor air quality monitoring project in Greater Boston. 

  • Francheska Bermudez (Public Health Institute of Western MA) led a hands-on workshop where participants created DIY air quality filters to improve indoor air quality. 

  • Molly Fairchild and Angie Alberto Escobar (Home Energy Efficiency Team) explored the impact of gas stoves on indoor air quality and asthma, sharing practical solutions for transitioning away from gas stoves and improving ventilation. 

  • Suellen Breaky (Center for Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health at MGH School of Nursing) addressed the health impacts of climate change throughout the lifespan, offering actionable steps we can all take to make a difference. 

Participant Takeaways: 

  • “Very informative day. Enjoyed the opportunity to connect and interact with others.” 

  • “A great collaborative gathering and discussion.” 

  • “The DIY activity was great!” 

  • “I learned so much!”  

Past MAAP Summits