Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | March 18, 2024 | wbjournal.com I N B R I E F Cannabis union "Now, advocacy calls again to establish a fair and respectful working environment for the folks that go face to face with [cannabis] flower consumers." Joseph Bolandrina (right), an employee at Oxford cannabis dispensary Curaleaf, where 23 of the 25 non-management employees are seeking to unionize, citing low morale and pay Pharmaceutical startup "We're going after one of the underlying causes of the disease, targeting that genetically." Eduardo Paredes, vice president of chemistry, manufacturing, and controls at Worcester startup Leal Therapeutics, which has raised more than $39 million toward its goal of developing breakthroughs to lead to effective treatments for diseases impacting the central nervous system, including schizophrenia and ALS New dean "I am really passionate about STEM-focused education and experiential learning that allows students to jump right into the career of their choice. I'm excited to join a public institution and have the chance to work with first-generation college students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue higher education." Lauren Nolfo-Clements, incoming dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Framingham State University, who is expected to start on July 15 BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Staff Writer O n March 12, Saint Vincent Hospital put out a press release implying the ongoing Massachusetts Department of Public Health investigation into its conditions was complete, with the officials clearing the Worcester facility of any deficiencies related to claims from nurses about quality of care. Hours later, DPH confirmed Saint Vincent's claim was misleading: A De- partment of Public Health spokesperson told WBJ the investigation into Saint Vincent is not yet complete, and that no conclusions can be made about its findings at this time. Saint Vincent officials did not respond to multiple requests from WBJ on Tuesday and Wednesday to clarify the significant discrepancy between DPH's confirmation and the March 12 press release from the hospital, where Saint Vincent CEO Carolyn Jackson claimed a five-day, on-site DPH survey was complete and showed zero deficiencies relating to staffing or quality of care. "To have no negative findings for staff- ing and quality of care from the DPH is a reflection of the consistent collaboration and dedication to patient care that our staff and physicians demonstrate every day," Jackson said in the March 12 press release. "We appreciate DPH's thought- ful approach to the detailed survey that was completed. Our team was proud to show them the inner workings of our high-quality organization." e hospital's press release went on to say that public health officials examined the hospital's operations in great detail and five of the six alleged complaints were found to be completely unsubstan- tiated. Saint Vincent said that the survey "helped uncover an opportunity for improvement relating to the hospital's telemetry monitoring equipment, which the hospital was already in process of addressing, and has now been fully corrected." e hospital did not offer any further details on what the issue was relating to the telemetry monitoring equipment, nor did it provide a copy of the report when asked. In counter to this claim, DPH con- firmed its investigation into the hospi- tal's conditions remains ongoing. "e Department of Public Health (DPH) began an onsite investigation at St. Vincent Hospital on January 31, 2024. is investigation is still ongoing, and no conclusions can be drawn at this time. DPH cannot comment on open investigations," DPH spokeswoman DPH refutes Saint Vincent claim of vindication, says investigation into hospital conditions remains ongoing PHOTO | WBJ FILE Katheleen Conti said in a March 12 evening email to WBJ. e Massachusetts Nurses Association labor union wasted no time in criticizing the hospital for this misleading claim. "e nurses of St. Vincent Hospital were gratified to learn that the DPH has countered the hospital's false claim that they have been in any way exoner- ated for the claims we have made about patently dangerous conditions at the hospital, conditions that are jeopardizing the safety of our patients nearly every day on every shi," Marlena Pellegrino, co-chair of the nurses local bargaining unit with MNA, said in a statement shared with WBJ on the night of March 12, following the DPH confirmation of an ongoing investigation. is controversy is the latest chapter in the fight between the facility nurses and hospital management over conditions at the hospital, as relations between the two parties have deteriorated since the MNA's 301-day strike ended in early 2022. In January, MNA announced more than 600 complaints have been filed by union nurses about the impact of low-staffing levels on patients and nurses. In early March, the national nonprofit accrediting agency e Joint Commis- sion found Saint Vincent to be out of compliance with Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services conditions, and that the Worcester hospital needed to show evidence to keep its voluntary accredidation from the nonrprofit. Saint Vincent Hospital, in Worcester W

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