In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition — Thursday, Jan. 30 — Harrington Hospital to link arms with UMass, ArtsWorcester opens its annual college student show, nominations are open for the best nurse in town, Earn-a-Bike celebrates its accomplishments, and YOU, Inc. becomes a Seven Hills affiliate.
Harrington Hospital to Move Toward UMass Acquisition Agreement
Harrington Hospital is one step closer to become part of the UMass Memorial Health Care system as members of Harrington HealthCare System voted late Monday in support of its Board and Strategic Executive Committee’s recommendation to formally enter into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with UMass Memorial Health Care to pursue an acquisition agreement.
That committee was formed in 2018 to evaluate some long-term options to maintain Harrington as financially secure while identifying its priorities as quality affordable care, health of the community, financial viability, investments in infrastructure and continued employment.
“There are significantly fewer independent hospitals in the Commonwealth, and the country, compared to 20 and 30 years ago,” said Harrington President and CEO Ed Moore in a statement. “We are in a fortunate position in that we are a strong organization with an outstanding medical staff, talented employees and great community support; we wanted to take the reins to shape our own future.”
The statement cites numerous benefits offered by a relationship with UMass Memorial, which include shared charitable missions, capital support for routine and capital needs and support for targeted provider recruitment.
If accepted, Harrington would become a member hospital within UMass Memorial Health Care, joining UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton, UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital and UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Annual College Art Show Opening
ArtsWorcester is bringing back one of its most exciting annual winter traditions. Show your school pride at the Sixteenth Annual College Show and delight in the work coming from Worcester’s creative young minds. Cash prizes are awarded during the opening reception, which is Friday, Jan. 31, from 6 PM to 9 PM at ArtsWorcester.
This year’s College Show is juried by Lynne Cooney, artistic director and chief curator of the Boston University Art Galleries, and features dozens of student artists. The opening reception and gallery hours are free and open to the public. This exhibit is on view through March 7.
Nominations Open for Annual “We Love Nurses” Award
Scrubs with Style of Northborough is currently accepting nominations for their second annual “We ❤️ Nurses” award given to a Worcester County nurse. This award “rewards and celebrates an outstanding nurse whose attitude, dedication, clinical excellence and patient empathy goes above and beyond.”
Nurses who qualify include those who work in a Massachusetts hospital, nursing home or community health center, one who is a nursing student or an experienced nurse who is a mentor.
The honoree is celebrated with a brand new scrub outfit, new shoes, a Littmann Stethoscope, Innovations Beauty Salon gift certificate, Serenity Nails & Spa gift certificate, Orthomed Massage Clinic gift certificate and more.
Nominate an outstanding nurse here, or email [email protected].
The deadline for nominations is Monday, Feb. 24.
Worcester Earn-a-Bike Holds Its Annual Celebration
The Worcester nonprofit Worcester Earn-a-Bike celebrates an amazing 2019 season with a celebratory event on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6 PM to 8 PM at 3Cross Fermentation Coop, 4 Knowlton St., Worcester
Cheer about the things that have been accomplished, learn about what’s going on now and thoughts for the future. Worcester Earn-a-Bike is a community program dedicated to teaching people bicycle maintenance while enabling them to earn a bike from the group’s inventory of donated bicycles. Everyone ages 9 and up is welcome.
This event is free, open to anyone who wants to know more about it, and you’ll even get a free drink and food ticket while supplies last.
YOU, Inc. to Affiliate with Seven Hills Foundation
Seven Hills Foundation and YOU, Inc. board members recently announced an affiliation that makes YOU, Inc. the 14th affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation. This new partnership “ensures the preservation and continuation of youth and family services across the region, which will be integrated with a broader set of services provided by Seven Hills Foundation to children and adults in need of support.” The nonprofit agencies’ affiliation will take effect April 1.
YOU, Inc. (Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc.) was founded nearly 50 years ago to serve youthful offenders adjudicated by the Worcester Juvenile Court. Today, YOU, Inc. provides behavioral health and educational services to more than 15,000 youth and their family members across Central Massachusetts.
“By combining these two organizations, we are creating a human services agency that is stronger than the sum of its parts,” said Dr. David A. Jordan, president of Seven Hills Foundation.
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