The Longwood Happenings newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox each month, delivers informative, engaging, and helpful updates about all things LMA! From local events to commuter resources, we provide everything you need to know about the Longwood Medical and Academic Area. 

Click here to read our July edition.

A Message from the President

Dear Longwood,

Here in the LMA, we prioritize making it easier to move through and around the district because we know that accessibility is essential for everyone who comes here to work, learn, or heal. Through our Longwood Collective Transportation Management Association (TMA), we offer a wide range of mobility solutions – from free bike repair services to subsidized gas cards for carpoolers and much more. Two core values guide our TMA’s work and inspired this week’s Meet Your Mode vendor fair. 

The first is responsiveness to the unique needs of our community. Longwood employees, students, and patients travel from all over the region, often at unconventional hours. Cost, convenience, and safety frequently rise to the top of conversations with commuters, and we’re always exploring new and creative ways to meet those needs. We’re also in continuous dialogue with our members to gather feedback and uncover new opportunities.

The second is the power of strategic partnerships. Through engagement with commuters and careful observation of district trends, we identify mobility gaps and work to close them. Whether it's collaborating with the MBTA on proposed bus routes or launching a micromobility subscription program with Ridepanda, we seek out and build strong relationships with transportation partners who help us move Longwood forward.

The Meet Your Mode event brought those partnerships to life. Representatives from nine of our mobility partners joined us at Stoneman Centennial Park, where Longwood’s workers and students stopped by to learn more about the resources available to them through our TMA. In addition to sharing information, we gathered valuable real-time feedback, all while enjoying sunshine, community connection, and free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

Events like this one allow us to better understand the lived experiences of those who move through the LMA every day. These conversations strengthen our ability to serve and adapt as an organization. Thank you to everyone who joined us at Meet Your Mode, and a special thank you to our TDM Program Manager, Kashia Point Du Jour, for working hard to keep Longwood moving.

Sincerely,

David Sweeney
President and CEO 

Longwood TMA Hosts Meet Your Mode Transportation Vendor Event 

On Wednesday, the Longwood community came together with transportation service providers including Ridepanda, NEMO, Bluebikes, the MBTA, and other local mobility partners for an afternoon of commuter conversation. Offering information, prizes, and games, there were a variety of ways that Longwood employees and students could learn more about commuting options in and around the LMA.

The Longwood Collective Area Planning team provided TMA swag and information on our services, including the LMA Shuttles and other transportation offerings

Ridepanda shared information to employees on the subscriptions they offer to a wide selection of pedal bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters alongside free socks

TDM Program Manager Kashia visited between tables — including the MBTA — building connections and welcoming guests

As a special summertime treat, we were also joined by Ben & Jerry's who provided free ice cream to anyone who attended three or more tables.

The Ben & Jerry's team offered four different flavors in a cup or cone to participants who filled out their Meet Your Mode stamp card, meaning they visited at least three vendor booths

Brigham and Women's researchers enjoy Ben & Jerry's cups in the shade

Thank you to all who braved the heat to join us. We look forward to seeing you all at upcoming Bike Longwood tune up events, and invite you to check out our website for more information. Happy commuting!

Wednesday, July 23rd: Puppies in the Park 

Can't get enough puppy love in the LMA? Neither can we! Join us for our next Puppies in the Park dog petting event on Wednesday, July 23rd at Stoneman Centennial Park. Shultz's Guest House will be on-site with a crew of puppies available for pats, cuddles, and playtime from 12pm to 2pm.

Bands on Blackfan Returns to Longwood

We're very excited to share that our Bands on Blackfan concert series is returning for the 2025 Outside// season! With a program including live music, lawn games, tasty food trucks, and good company, there is something for everyone at these signature Longwood events.

Dates will be announced soon, and in the meantime, check out our Instagram for information about where you can find live music Monday through Friday in the LMA.

View our weekly music schedule. 

Governor Healy Dedicates Fair Share Funds to Transit in Massachusetts

Earlier this summer, Governor Maura Healey signed a bill that invests $1.3 billion in Fair Share tax revenue into transportation and education in the Commonwealth. This allocation is a major win for education and transportation in Boston and beyond.

MBTA Updates Near the District 

Red Line

• Service between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass will be replaced with free and accessible shuttle bus service from 8:30 PM on Thursday, July 17th through Sunday, July 20th.

Orange Line

• Service between Wellington and Back Bay will be suspended during the weekend of July 26th-27th. Local shuttle buses will make all stops between Wellington and North Station. Express shuttle buses will operate directly between Wellington and North Station.

Bike Tune Ups Return to Longwood

August marks the return of Bike Longwood tune ups to the 375 Longwood Avenue Plaza for the season! Take advantage of the summer weather and transition to a commute on two wheels. We'll ensure your bike is safe and ready to go during a free, 15-minute long service appointment.

Time slots are now open through the fall, so take a look at your calendar and receive the tune up ABCs: air, brake, and chain checks!

• Tuesday, August 5th
• Wednesday, August 13th
• Monday, August 18th
• Wednesday, September 3rd
• Tuesday, September 9th
• Tuesday, September 16th
• Wednesday, October 8th
• Wednesday, October 29th

Register for a tune up.

New Bluebike Stations Landing Near the District

The City of Boston recently announced an expansion of Bluebike stations across the city—including in and around the LMA! Click here for more information on the location and status of new stations.

Plus, did you know that several of our Longwood member organizations offer Bluebike discounts for their employees? See this informational sheet for more details about if your employer offers a subsidized Bluebike membership.

Back to School Longwood Medical Area Child Care Center Discount

With back to school season right around the corner, the Longwood Medical Area Child Care Center (LMACCC) is currently offering an enrollment discount of 10% your first three months of care. If you are looking for care that is convenient, compassionate, educational, and engaging, the LMACCC is the place for you. Visit lmaccc.org to learn more or call (617) 632-2755.

Dorm Tower Topping Off Ceremony Marks a Milestone for Simmons University

Boston Business Journal

Simmons University marked a construction milestone yesterday, but not for just any residential project — it’s a residential project aimed at helping the Fenway college take a major step forward for enrollment and services. The 19-story tower, for which a topping-off ceremony was held on Tuesday, will include all of Simmons’ on-campus beds — as well as a dining hall, event spaces and an athletic-and-wellness center. The space for nearly 1,100 students is expected to consolidate the university’s residential campus, which today stands on the other side of Brookline Avenue, with Emmanuel College's campus also sitting between some of Simmons’ residential and academic areas.

Find Refuge from the Heat, Real and Metaphorical, at ISGM Museum 'Ming Fay: Edge of the Garden' Exhibit

Boston Globe

Just in time for the swelter of midsummer, “Ming Fay: Edge of the Garden” arrived at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in full bloom. It’s not just the fine-tuned AC of the museum’s perfectly climate-controlled environment that offers salve from the ballooning humidex outside; in this moment of overheated social and political tumult, “Edge of the Garden” is whimsical refuge, an escape; it’s an opportunity to take the temperature down, and contemplate slowness.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Researchers Identify New Target for tRCC Treatment

OncoDaily

In 2019, Srinivas Viswanathan, encountered two young patients with a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer known as translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC). Unlike the more common type, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), tRCC doesn’t respond to standard treatment. Viswanathan saw a clear unmet need and his team became motivated to understand this rare form of cancer. The research uncovered a key difference between the two forms of cancer and pointed to a potential new target for treatment of tRCC.