Health

26 HEALTH • Fall 2016 she worked for more than 20 years. She holds three degrees from the University of Florida: a bachelor's in advertising, a master's in health administration and a master's in business administration with a focus in marketing. GINGER ABRAHAM-FREEL is director of quality and operations at Biostage in Holliston. In this new position, Abraham-Freel will be responsible for helping Biostage file an Investigational New Drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She joins the company from Diagnostics For All, Inc. where she led product validation, established quality systems and maintained compliance as director of quality and head of manufacturing. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology at Stonehill College. { Newsworthy } People, providers and practices Continued from previous page [ MO V ERS & SHAK ERS ] [ ACCOLADES & HONORS ] Ashley Allen VNA Care Network and VNA of Boston, certified home health care divisions of the Atrius Health sub- sidiary VNA Care, were named HomeCare Elite 2015 Top Agencies by OCS HomeCare, plac- ing them in the top-performing 25 percent of home care agencies in the United States. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts selected UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery. Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery demon- strate expertise in cervical and lumbar fusion, cervical laminecto- my and lumbar laminectomy/dis- cectomy procedures, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions compared to other hospitals. Milford Regional Medical Center was awarded the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's gold plus quality achievement for its care of stroke patients. The Get With The Guidelines -Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award is given out to hospitals that adhere to the stroke association's care guidelines for patients experienc- ing a stroke, including aggressive use of medications such as clot- busting and anti-clotting drugs. Stephen Yerdon of Holden, execu- tive director at Devereux in Rutland, is the recipient of the 2016 Community Leadership Award pre- sented by the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce. Pictured, left to right, are: State Representative Kim Ferguson; Steve Yerdon; Chamber President Iain McKinlay and Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Stanovich. The Family Birthing Center at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge was recognized by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for its work protecting newborns from hepatitis-B. The center is now listed on the IAC's Birth Dose Honor Roll. AdCare Hospital, with drug-and- alcohol treatment facilities in Worcester, recognized employees for their years of service at a dinner at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. Those honored included, for 45 years with the company, Brian Nelson; 30 years, Elaine Derry-Neeley; 25 years, John Buck, Susan Hillis and Jim Hillis; 20 years, Florina Berry, Edward O'Brien and Judith Ward; 15 years, Dennis Asselin, Melissa Medeiros and Donald O'Leary; and 10 years, Debra Baumgartner, Barbara Bernard, David Brunell, Carol O'Connor, Mary Beth Papcsy, Ann Park, Cheryl Stevens and Robert White. UMass Memorial Health Care was recognized by America's Essential Hospitals — with a Gage Award for Population Health — for its expan- sion of a pilot program for children with poorly controlled asthma, resulting in less school absenteeism. Sterling Village, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Sterling, earned a deficiency-free rating for a second consecutive year from the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services. Chris Pignatiello is the facility's executive director. Oakdale Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center of West Boylston won a 2016 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, the first of three distinctions possible through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. Nathan Oriol is Oakdale's administrator. Milford Regional Medical Center received International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Care Award from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and the International Lactation Consultant Association. Greater Worcester Community Foundation presented its 11th annual Renaissance Award to Frances Anthes, president and CEO of the Family Health Center of Worcester. The award, given each year to a nonprofit leader, comes with a $5,000 cash prize. Worcester-based Reliant Medical Group was named among the "150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare" by Becker's Hospital Review; and was on a list of "50 Most Engaged Workplaces in North America" by Achievers, a workplace recognition program. Clinton Hospital's Rehabilitation Department was awarded the 2015 Clinical Site of Excellence Award from the School of Physical Therapy at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). This award is given annually to a clinical site that best demonstrates excellence in quality of learning for students. Milford Regional Medical Center was recognized for its treatment of infants exposed to drugs or alcohol while in the womb, by the Vermont Oxford Network. In 2015, Milford Regional got involved with a quality improvement collaborative sponsored by the nonprofit, to improve the care of substance abuse-exposed infants through live webinars and other efforts.

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