A Year of Service, Education, and Renewed Engagement
2025–2026
By Margaret Igne, MMS Alliance President
The 2025–2026 year was an active and meaningful one for the Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance, marked by renewed community engagement, educational programming, and a strong commitment to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities
across Massachusetts.
Throughout the year, the Alliance continued to build upon its longstanding tradition of service while expanding its focus on some of today’s most important health priorities, including nutrition, physical activity, sustainability, food insecurity, homelessness,
health equity, and planetary health.
One of the highlights of the year was an April 2026 program featuring Dr. Walter C. Willett of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, internationally recognized for his work in nutrition and public health. His presentation addressed healthy eating,
disease prevention, sustainability, and the relationship between food choices and planetary health. The event drew strong attendance and reinforced the Alliance’s commitment to advancing education around nutrition and healthier communities.
The Alliance also hosted and collaborated with other distinguished speakers, including Dr. Michal Caspi Tal of MIT and Giorgio Mariano, whose work further explored the connection between health, nutrition, science, and sustainability.
Community service remained central to the Alliance’s mission. During the year, the Alliance revived its beloved Libraries for Children initiative, collecting hundreds of books for distribution to children and families through shelters, hospitals, and
community organizations. The program reflects the Alliance’s enduring belief that access to books, education, and opportunity can have a lasting impact on children’s lives.
Support for veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and community organizations also continued, together with efforts to revisit and modernize the Alliance’s historic Medical Libraries in Developing Countries initiative.
Another important priority was strengthening collaboration with the Massachusetts Medical Society and creating new opportunities for Alliance members to participate in meaningful projects and leadership roles.
The year culminated on May 16, 2026, with the 78th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance and the installation of the 2026–2027 leadership. The meeting celebrated the work accomplished throughout the year while also looking ahead
to the Alliance’s next chapter.
As the Alliance moves forward, its priorities will continue to include nutrition and healthy living, sustainability and planetary health, children’s literacy, support for veterans, food insecurity, homelessness, health equity, physician and family well-being,
and expanded collaboration with the Massachusetts Medical Society.
With membership being offered free of charge this year, the Alliance looks forward to welcoming both returning and new members and encouraging them to bring their own ideas, interests, and leadership to the organization.
The Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance has a proud history of service. Today, that tradition continues with renewed energy, new partnerships, and a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Margaret Igne
President
Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance
