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In This Issue:
From left, Cindy Peterson, Maura Schaeffer-Jobins, Jessica Tancrell and Patricia Coffey were integral to the success of the Giving Tree project at Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center.
When it opened in February 2009, Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center at Foxborough sought to provide a comfortable and convenient location for both primary care and specialty services for residents of Foxborough and the surrounding communities. Now, more than two years later, the center has established itself as a valued member of the community. Earlier this year, it was honored with the 2010 Good Neighbor Award from the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce for Foxborough, Mansfield and Norton, for its outstanding contributions to improve the quality of life in the area.
“Part of BWH’s mission is to ensure that our work meets the needs of our community,” said Cindy Peterson, administrative director, Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center. “This award, which recognizes our extensive community outreach and free health seminars, is an indication that our efforts during the past year have aligned with our mission.”
A number of staff are involved with community efforts throughout the year, ranging from staffing flu vaccination clinics for Foxborough’s Board of Health to participating in a prescription drug “take-back” program through Foxborough Police and SAFE-Foxborough. During the 2010 holiday season, staff created a “Giving Tree” that benefited members of Foxborough Human Services’ domestic violence support group. The center filled more than 120 gift requests for support group members and their children, bringing holiday gifts to families that otherwise would have had none.
“Our patients and staff who fulfilled wishes from the Giving Tree made these families’ holidays so much brighter,” said Patient Service Coordinator Patricia Coffey, who helped organize the Giving Tree effort. “It says a lot about us here in Foxborough, that we are more than a facility that cares for patients. We care about our community, too.”
Also during the 2010 holiday season, staff from different departments at the center joined with the Town of Foxborough and the Foxborough Jaycees, the local Junior Chamber of Commerce group, to put together fruit baskets to deliver to families in need.
“We helped them assemble more than 250 fruit baskets, which is the most they’ve ever done. The need this year was tremendous, and the Jaycees were truly thankful for our help,” said Patricia Conlon, RN, of the Day Surgery Unit. “The best part was helping with the delivery and being able to see how appreciative people were. As a nurse, working in the town I live and being able to help out with the community is huge. Everyone is so thankful that the Brigham is in Foxborough and helping out with so many events.”