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Members of Worcester’s State Delegation to Visit Kennedy CHC School-Based Clinic

Senator Harriett Chandler will be in Attendance at tour of Burncoat Junior/Senior High Health Clinic

Who:   Worcester Delegation:

Senator Harriett Chandler
State Representative John Mahoney: 13^th Worcester District
State Representative Dan Donahue: 16^th Worcester District
State Representative Mary Keefe: 15^th Worcester District
State Representative Jim O’Day: Worcester/West Boylston

What: Tour of Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center’s School-Based Clinic

Where: Burncoat Junior/Senior High School

       135 Burncoat Street (Junior High facility)

       Worcester, MA   01606

When: Friday, March 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

Worcester, MA (March 4, 2015) The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center announces that the following members of Worcester’s state delegation will be visiting one of its school-based health clinics located at Burncoat Junior/Senior High on Friday, March 6^th at 10:00 a.m.

Senator Harriett Chandler

State Representative John Mahoney: 13^th Worcester District

State Representative Dan Donahue: 16^th Worcester District

State Representative Mary Keefe: 15^th Worcester District

State Representative Jim O’Day: Worcester/West Boylston

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center announces that Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham, JD, has recently been elected Chair of its Board of Directors.  Ms. Zolezzi-Wyndham joined the Board in 2008 and became its Vice-Chair in 2013, and has served on a number of committees including the Finance, By-Laws & Nominating, Quality Care and Advancement Committees.   She brings with her a vast knowledge of community health centers and has been the driving force in bringing the medical legal partnership model to central Massachusetts.

Ms. Zolezzi-Wyndham worked at Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts for over seven years before the program joined with Western Massachusetts Legal Services to form Community Legal Aid in 2011. From 2002-2004, she was an attorney in the benefits unit, handling welfare matters, employment issues, and MassHealth cases. In 2004 Valerie received the Innovations in Legal Services Award in recognition of her vision in creating the Family Advocates of Central Massachusetts, LACCM’s medical-legal collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

From 2004-2007, Ms. Zolezzi-Wyndham was the Regional Training Director at the Center for Legal Aid Education, a Boston-based organization that provides continuing education and training to equal justice attorneys and staff across the country.

In her position as Director of Training and Professional Development from 2007-2011, Ms. Zolezzi-Wyndham planned, provided and coordinated training and professional development for all staff.  She also oversees CLA’s Family Advocates of Central Massachusetts program.

Ms. Zolezzi-Wyndham’s community involvement includes working for the protection of women’s rights, including health, homelessness, violence, and food insecurity.

Ms. Zolezzi-Wyndham is a graduate of Boston College and received her JD from Boston University School of Law.  She is fluent in Spanish and French.

Collaboration with MCPHS University will Open Access to
Vision Care for Kennedy CHC Patients in MetroWest

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) announces that it has opened an optometry practice at 72 Union Street, Framingham, Massachusetts. Through a partnership with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS University), Kennedy CHC will now be able to offer vision care services to its patients living in the greater MetroWest area.

Currently, Kennedy CHC patients have to travel to Worcester to receive optometry services at the Health Center’s flagship medical facility. Through a partnership with MCPHS University, students and preceptors associated with the University’s Doctor of Optometry program will now be available in Framingham to see Kennedy CHC patients in need of vision care and services.  The addition of vision care will help round out the other medical, behavioral and dental services that Kennedy CHC is already providing to the MetroWest community.

“We are excited to open up this new optometry practice in Framingham,” states Toni G. McGuire, President and CEO of Kennedy CHC. “By working collaboratively with MCHPS, our patients in the greater MetroWest area will finally have access to vision care right in their own community, a much needed service in this region.”

Headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts, Kennedy CHC operates medical and dental facilities in Framingham and a medical facility in Milford, which serves both the Worcester and MetroWest communities.   Patients who receive care through one of Kennedy CHC’s medical sites are able to access vision care at the new Framingham optometry practice.

Worcester, MA (January 14, 2015). The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center wishes to acknowledge the generous gifts of the following local and regional foundations for their confidence in and support of the organization’s mission and achievements.

Agnes M. Lindsay Trust
Awarded Kennedy CHC with a $4,968 grant to purchase dental equipment for its dental practice.

George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation
Awarded Kennedy CHC with a $50,000 grant to assist in purchasing furnishings for its new administrative site, and $80,000 to help cover the cost of a new roof at the medical facility at 19 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA.

George I. Alden Trust
Awarded Kennedy CHC with a $125,000 grant to assist with the expansion of its optometry practice, which includes the rehab of an existing building at 631 Lincoln Street in Worcester to accommodate a collaborative effort with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University.

Hoche-Scofield Foundation
Awarded Kennedy CHC with a $25,000 grant to cover the remaining cost of replacing the roof at its medical facility at 19 Tacoma Street in Worcester.

Stoddard Charitable Trust
Awarded Kennedy CHC with a $100,000 grant to assist with the expansion of its optometry practice, which includes the rehab of an existing building at 631 Lincoln Street in Worcester to accommodate a collaborative effort with the Massachusetts College Pharmacy and Health Sciences University.

The Health Foundation of Central Mass
Awarded Kennedy CHC with a $20,000 grant to continue its work in expanding our Milford medical practice.

United Healthcare
Awarded Kennedy CHC with a $5,000 grant to support its interpreter services program.

The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center holiday hours are as follows:

December 24, 2014
Closing at 1:00pm

December 25, 2014
CLOSED

December 31, 2014
Closing at 1:00pm

January 1, 2015
CLOSED

On December 9, 2014, the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center held its  annual Staff Recognition and Holiday Party. Bringing in staff from the various Kennedy CHC sites, the event saw management, employees, and board members come together to share a meal and celebrate each other. Awards of service and scholarships were handed out, as well as many prizes and gifts up for grabs in a holiday raffle.

Awards of Service were given to employees who have been part of the Kennedy CHC family for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and for the first time in Kennedy CHC history, thirty years.

Recipients of Service awards were:

Five Years of Service
Dana DelDotto
Gleidistoney De Oliveira
Corrine De Girolamo
Andrea Earley
Theodor Ene
Brenda Figueroa
Brian Genna
Ivonne Jimenez
Belinda Ortiz
Marisol Ortiz
Aruna Pappu
Usha Rallapalli
Sandra Restrepo
Francisco Vale
Renata Vieira

Ten Years of Service
Nora Alarcon
Jaclyn Bilello
Kelly Celestino
Sandra Durand
Paula Kaminow
Marline Ruiz
Ivelisse Sully

Fifteen Years of Service
Firas Aldarawcheh
Elizabeth Dobles
Tina King
Monica McGinty
Leo Negron-Cruz
Evelyn Ortiz
Ha Phan
Michele Pici
Ethel Serrano

Twenty Years of Service
Carmen Matias
Gloriselle Garcia

Thirty Years of Service
Grace Andrade

Newly created, The Imagination Scholarship award is given to a deserving Medical Assistant with the intention of aiding in the repayment of loans incurred during their certification studies.  Though designed to be awarded to one recipient, with the generous funds of an anonymous donor, the scholarship was awarded to four deserving Kennedy CHC employees:

Iliana Perez-Guivas
Samantha Rodriguez
Luciana Dos Santos
Julissa Marte

The Customer Service Award was given to Nora Alarcon and Juliana Ruggieri.

Shawn Liddy of the IT department was awarded Employee of the Year.

The president’s award was given to Jaclyn Bilello, a Physician’s Assistant whose outstanding work with Worcester’s refugee population has made her stand out.

During the celebration, Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham, Chair of the Board of Directors, presented outgoing Chair Matt Hogan with the Charles Estus Award for his commitment to Kennedy CHC. Dr.Charles Estus, one of the founders of Kennedy CHC (formerly Great Brook Valley Health Center) passed away last month after a long life of service, making the award a truly special honor.

The event was a testament to the combined efforts of all Kennedy CHC staff in improving the health and welfare of the communities they serve. It was a celebration of each other’s contributions and recognition of the positive change affected in 2014. As the New Year approaches, Kennedy CHC holds strong in its mission “To help people live healthier lives”.

Worcester, MA – October 20, 2014 –The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center announces that it has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.

The findings were part of HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index 2014, a unique annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBT Americans, and recognizes healthcare institutions doing the best work.

Kennedy CHC earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.

Antonia G. McGuire, President and CEO of Kennedy CHC states, “This acknowledgement of our work is a testament to the commitment of our staff and clinicians who strive daily to address health disparities and health equity issues. Our mission is to insure that everyone has equal access to health care. We are proud to have achieved this significant recognition.”

Kennedy CHC was one of a select group of 426 healthcare facilities nationwide to be named Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality. Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.

“Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality change the lives of LGBT patients and their families for the better each and every day,” said Chad Griffin, HRC president. “LGBT people should be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center for their tireless work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients.”

The Healthcare Equality Index offers healthcare facilities unique and powerful resources designed to help provide equal care to a long-overlooked group of patients, as well as assistance in complying with new regulatory requirements and access to high-quality staff training.

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2014, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei.

Windstream staff, Adam Katz, Director, Account Development (Left) and Elizabeth Doherty, Senior Account Manager (R) present Matt Sanford, IT Director for the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, with two tickets to an upcoming Patriots Game to be used to help raise money for the organization’s annual appeal.

Boston-based Windstream is a provider of data, voice, network and cloud services. They are currently a business partner of Kennedy CHC. Contact: Paula Green, 508-532-7305 paula.green@kennedychc.org

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Challenge yourself to: “Listen without prejudice, to love without limits and to reverse the hate.” (Orlando Jones)