Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Inc., a designated Public Health Service 330 Center. Providing medical and dental services to the Greater New Bedford area.

GNBCHC News & Events (Page 1)

September 2008

Spread the Word: National Child Health Day is Monday, October 6

It is estimated that 1 in 6 U.S. children between 2 and 19 is overweight, a risk factor for serious health consequences including asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

You can help solve this serious – and growing – health problem. Join us on the 80th annual Child Health Day, October 6, 2008, and help children Eat Healthy and Be Active for a Healthy Future!

Visit the HRSA website for more details!

August 2008

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center celebrates National Community Health Center Week with Wellness Fair

A Wellness Fair is being hosted by the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center on Monday, August 11 at its new Wellness Center. Staff members from the Health Center, Advanced Eye Centers, and Walgreens will be be offering free Blood Pressure Screening, Blood Sugar Screening, Body Mass Index (BMI), a Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program, Carbon Monoxide testing for smokers, and Vision Screening. Attendees will also be able to bring their medications for a one on one review with a pharmacist. The Benefits Department of the Health Center will provide information on Mass Health Insurance. The Health Center encourages members of the community to receive information on health issues and to take advantage of the free screenings. Translators will be available.

The Free Wellness Fair will be held on Monday, August 11 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. at 874 Purchase Street, New Bedford.

July 2008

Natalie C. Martinez, DMD joins the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is pleased to welcome Natalie C. Martinez, DMD to its Dental Staff.

Dr. Martinez obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science form Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. She received her dental degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston. She is bilingual speaking English and Spanish.

Anyone wishing to establish their dental care at the Health Center, may call 508-984-7031 to make an appointment. To learn more about the Health Center, you may visit our web site at www.gnbchc.org.

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is pleased to welcome Shabana Naz, MD.. Dr. Naz earned her medical degree from the Aga Khan University Medical School in Pakistan. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine and was Chief Medical Resident at the VA Connecticut Health Care System. Most recently she completed an Infectious Disease Fellowship and was an HIV Treatment and Research Fellow at the University of Rochester. Dr. Naz has been involved in a number of research projects related to HIV infected patients. She is board certified in Internal Medicine.

Anyone wishing to establish their primary care at the Health Center, may call 508-990-7537 to make an appointment. To learn more about the Health Center, you may visit our web site at www.gnbchc.org.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center 2008 Employee Appreciation Picnic Held on July 2 & 3

Click here for more photos

Walgreens Grand Opening

An anonymous donor presented an oil painting of Rose A. Yates, Board Chair, to the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center. The presentation took place at the dinner following the 15th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament held on June 9, 2008 at the Fall river Country Club. The painting done by artist Deborah Beth Macy hangs in the Health Center Board Room.

Golfers play to benefit women’s health at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center celebrated its 15th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament this month at the Fall River Country Club. Thanks to the golfers, sponsors, donors, and volunteers, the event raised over $35,000 for the expansion of the Women’s Health area. Golf Committee Chairman, Jean Desrosiers, noted that the funds would be used to equip additional examination rooms. Walgreens, which provides full pharmacy services on the Health Center campus, supported the 2008 fund-raiser as a Tournament Co-Sponsor. The Neighborhood Health Plan sponsored the fleet of golf carts that ferried the players around the course. Golf balls were provided by the Louis Georgeopoulos Fund and golf shirts for the participants were supplied by the GNBCHC Golf Committee.

The annual tournament has raised over $450,000 over the past 15 years. This partnership between the business community and the Health Center has allowed 30% of the community to benefit from the health services that are provided. It has also allowed the Health Center to undertake the capital improvements of the facility and to ensure that it is well equipped.

The dedicated golf committee included Jean Desrosiers, Anna Dutra, Darlene Dymsza, Roxanne Ferrer, John Ford, Peter Georgeopoulos, Francine Herman, Stephanie Machado, Derek Mendes, Olga Moura, Robert Nochimow, Joyce O’Connell, Victoria Pereira, Nelson Quintal, A. Jack Silva III, Pamela Schmidt, Chris Walton, and Beth Yuen.

Winners in this year’s tournament were:

First Place: Mike Crowe, John Jones, Ellenor Priest, John Priest
Second Place: Donald Monaghan, Matt Gamache, Richard Serra, Scott Sylvia
Third Place: Jean Desrosiers, Charles Marchetti, Richard Niedzwiadek, Gabriel Tavares
Closest to the Pin: Tim Krupel
Longest Drives: Ellenor Priest and Klete Squires

The GNBCHC has redecorated the waiting area for our patients. Enjoy:

The Wellness Center at the Greater New Bedford community Health Center will be opening soon. Programs include Weight Management, Smoking Cessation, and Diabetes Education. The Wellness Center will be open to the public and area businesses, and may expand to include future collaborations with the YMCA and other agencies.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center participates in Occupational Health Surveillance program

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has been selected as one of two Health Centers in Massachusetts to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance program. By combining Public Health and Health Center objectives, individuals subjected to work related injuries and exposures can receive treatment for those conditions as well as receive primary care and a whole range of services.

The surveillance program involves collecting information on work-related injuries and illnesses, using the information to develop intervention and preventive programs, and educating workers, employers, and health care providers in occupational health problems in medically underserved communities. Workplace health conditions include asthma, needlesticks, musculoskeletal injuries, lead poisoning, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and occupational cancer.

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center continues to explore funding sources to support these efforts.

The surveillance program at GNBCHC is under the direction of Ismail Nabeel, MD who is a member of the Infectious Disease team. Dr. Nabeel is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. He not only lectures on occupational health conditions at the Health Center but has also trained Park Service Rangers and volunteers in hazard communication during Summerfest. and has provided training for fishermen. He is a visiting scholar at Harvard School of Public Health. He has presented lectures to judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on work related issues in HIV positive patients. Dr. Nabeel is a member of the Department of Public Health Advisory Board for Occupational Health Surveillance.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center to present abstract at the National Summit of Clinicians for Health Care Justice

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has been invited to present its experience in establishing an Occupational Medicine Program for the underserved Greater New Bedford community at the National Summit of Clinicians for Health Care Justice. The program is under the direction Ismail Nabeel, MD, MPH who will present the abstract entitled Changing Healthcare Practice: Building a healthy work force in a resource poor setting is no longer a broken promise. He will be able to showcase the pioneering work of the program at GNBCHC and the novel tracking system for surveillance of occupational related injuries in a medically underserved population.

The conference will be held October 23-25, 2008 in Washington, DC. “It is expected to provide an opportunity for clinicians to explore cutting edge solutions and to be a part of the vital efforts to make quality health care for the underserved a reality.”

May 2008
The Greater Community Health Center celebrated the arrival of Spring with the first May Day Breakfast given by the Health Center for its employees.

The theme for 2008 National Nurses Week is Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day. National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6 through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Honors Employees Witn 2008 Staff Awards

They are the friendly and assuring voice you hear at the other end of the telephone line, the nurse who willingly helps wherever needed, the secretary who makes sure the patients are cared for in a timely manner, the maintenance person who makes sure the campus is safe for all, the Doctor whose first priority is the patient’s care, the clerk who generously volunteers in the various efforts that benefit the community. They are the everyday heroes we recognized at the Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony: Viviana Abreu, Kerry Chavez, Roy Filkins, James Hayes, NP, Dianne Lowe, and Donale Middleton, MD.

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Weeks from April 20 through April 26 in appreciation of the laboratory professionals who work behind the scenes. The theme is Bringing a Cure, One Test at a Time.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Recognizes Outstanding Employees

The Board of Directors of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center have recognized six outstanding employees in 2008. The winners were selected from a group nominated by Health Center personnel. Recommendations were based on several reasons including dedication, commitment to the community, and service well beyond what is required. In the Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony held at the Whaling Museum, Rose Yates, Board Chair, thanked everyone who makes the Health Center as great as it is and referred to all the employees as special people. Those recognized this year include the friendly and assuring voice you hear at the other end of the telephone line, the nurse who willingly helps wherever needed, the secretary who makes sure the patients are cared for in a timely manner, the maintenance person who makes sure the campus is safe for all, the Doctor whose unfailing first priority is the patient’s care, and the clerk who generously volunteers in the various efforts that benefit the community. These everyday heroes that were recognized are:

ROCKLAND TRUST DONATES $5,000 TO GREATER NEW BEDFORD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Donation will support new Wellness Center to treat Diabetes and Obesity

NEW BEDFORD, MA (April 21, 2008). Rockland Trust has donated $5,000.00 to the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, it was announced today. The bank's donation will help support the organization's new Wellness clinic, scheduled to open July 1, 2008, and focusing on the areas of Type II Diabetes, obesity and nutrition. A check for $5,000.00 was presented to Peter Georgeopoulos, Chief Executive Officer and D. Karen Enright, PhD, RN, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Clinical Services, of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, at the site of the new clinic on April 11, 2008. A photo is attached below.

"We are grateful for the generous support of Rockland Trust," stated Chief Executive Officer Peter Georgeopoulos, "their assistance will help us address the growing problem of Obesity and Type II Diabetes in our community."

"At Rockland Trust, we are committed to strengthening the communities in which we work and live," stated Lynn Motta, Vice President of Commercial Lending for Rockland Trust, "we are proud to support the good work of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, whose programs will improve the quality of life for the people of greater New Bedford."

Rockland Trust Company is the sole bank subsidiary of Independent Bank Corp. (Nasdaq: INDB), with approximately $3.4 billion in assets. Rockland Trust offers commercial banking, retail banking, investment management services, and insurance sales services from 61 retail branches, 9 commercial lending centers, and 5 mortgage origination offices located throughout southeastern Massachusetts and on Cape Cod; and, from 4 investment management offices located throughout southeastern Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and in Rhode Island. With 870 professionals, they are one of the largest employers in Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Rockland Trust lives by four key promises: a commitment to providing superior customer service, strengthening the communities in which it works and lives, investing in their employees' success, and meeting shareholders' expectations. To find out more about the products and services available at Rockland Trust, please visit https://www.rocklandtrust.com.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center participates in Occupational Health Surveillance program

The surveillance program involves collecting information on work-related injuries and illnesses, using the information to develop intervention and preventive programs, and educating workers, employers, and health care providers in occupational health problems in medically underserved communities. Workplace health conditions include asthma, needlesticks, musculoskeletal injuries, lead poisoning, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and occupational cancer. The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center continues to explore funding sources to support these efforts.

The surveillance program at GNBCHC is under the direction of Ismail Nabeel, MD who is a member of the Infectious Disease team. Dr. Nabeel is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. He not only lectures on occupational health conditions at the Health Center but has also trained Park Service Rangers and volunteers in hazard communication during Summerfest. and has provided training for fishermen. He is a visiting scholar at Harvard School of Public Health. He has presented lectures to judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on work related issues in HIV positive patients. Dr. Nabeel is a member of the Department of Public Health Advisory Board for Occupational Health Surveillance.

Over 100 HIV medical providers funded by the Massachusetts Department of Health attended the March program development meeting hosted by the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center. Mr. Peter Georgeopoulos, CEO of the Health Center, welcomed the attendees at the Wamsutta Club. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the use of peer advocates in healthcare teams working with HIV and AIDS patients. A peer advocate is an HIV positive individual who, as a member of a health care team, assists patients with concerns such as housing, case management, transportation, and substance abuse treatment. Paul Cassidy and Susan Arsenault presented the peer advocate model used at the Health Center where peers are involved in intervention when substance abuse is identified. The peer advocate assists the patient in entering substance abuse treatment and making plans for child care while in rehabilitation.

Other speakers included peer advocate trainers from Cicatelli Associates, a nonprofit educational organization based in New York. In addition to training, peers are also provided with supervision and support. Because of similar experiences, peers can often identify patient issues that otherwise might be missed by uninfected health team members.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Receives Grant for Foster Grandparent Program

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has received a grant for $2,325 from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts - Acushnet Foundation Fund for a Foster Grandparents Program. The award will support the cost of having Foster Grandparents reading in the Pediatric waiting room of the Health Center. The Foster Grandparents program through Coastline Elderly Services places low-income elders in settings where they can support literacy skills in children. They receive a small stipend for their services and travel expenses. The hope is to eventually have a reader in the morning and in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. "Having Foster Grandparents read to children in our waiting room reinforces the key message of the Reach Out and Read program," said Dr. Nancy Langhans, Health Center Medical Director. "Reading to young children is one of the most important things parents can do to prepare their children to learn."

Walgreens opens pharmacy on Greater New Bedford Community Health Center campus

Corporate representatives from Walgreens and the Pharmacy staff pose moments before the official opening of the pharmacy. Back row l to r: Gene Nardin, On-Site Pharmacy Development Coordinator, Bob Hurley, Manager On-Site Operations, and Steve Pashko, Pharmacy supervisor.Front Row l to r: Christina Moniz, Pharmacy Technician, Odilia DesRoches, Pharmacy Manager, and Jillian Lebron, Pharmacy Technician.

It's done! After months of construction, Walgreens opened its pharmacy on the campus of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center. Over time heating and ventilation contractors, electricians, and painters transformed the space. Store fittings arrived. Shelves were stocked with prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and retail items. The minute that the city permit was delivered, corporate representatives and the pharmacy staff officially opened the doors of Walgreens at the Health Center.

For the moment, Walgreens is a retail pharmacy until the process which will allow it to become a 340B pharmacy is completed. The selection of OTC medications and retail items is expected to evolve as customers and Health Center personnel and patients make suggestions.

The pharmacy manager, Odilia DesRoches, holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island. She has been associated with Walgreens since she started as a third year intern 10 years ago. She has worked in the Acushnet Avenue pharmacy and at Walgreens in Fairhaven. The staff includes part time pharmacist, Liz Pereira and pharmacy technicians, Christina Moniz and Jillian Lebron. Both Liz and Jillian are bi-lingual.

The on-site pharmacy is highly convenient for Health Center patients and the community. Not only does it save a special trip to get a prescription filled but they have access to all the services that Walgreens offers through its various operations. Not only do patients benefit but the Health Center staff is just steps away from the expertise that the on-site pharmacist can provide.

Hasbro Children's Hospital to provide pediatric specialty services at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is pleased to announce that, under an agreement with Lifespan, consultation services in pediatric cardiology, pediatric gastroenterology, and pediatric endocrinology will be provided to their patients on site. Medical specialists on the staff of Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI will visit the Health Center once a month so that patients can be referred to these specialists locally and eliminate the need to travel. The services are expected to begin in 2008.

It is December 2007 and once again Santa's Elves volunteered at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center. Who are these "Santa's Elves"? They are the Health Center employees who daily serve the community with loving care. They are the employees who spend the whole year preparing for the day of Santa's visit. Thanks to the year long efforts of the Elves, 1100 children received toys and warm clothing during this holiday season.

This year there were two special visitors in addition to Santa. "Wally", the Red Sox mascot, escorted Sunny, mascot of the Boston Medical Center Health Net Plan to the activities. The Boston Medical Center Health Net Plan generously donated toys and $1,000 to buy additional toys for the young patients of the Health Center. Not only that, they arranged for Wally to appear and the Red Sox organization donated Wally's services. The donations are part of the statewide HOPE Drive sponsored by the BMC Health Net Plan.

The Elves (employees) of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center extend their heartfelt thanks for the generosity of the following donors who made this December 11, 2007 an unforgettable day for the children and families of our community.

Local Friends raise funds for Greater New Bedford Community Health Foundation

Local Friends, the auxiliary group of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Foundation, and Master Chef George Karousos, Chairman of the Foundation, hosted a fundraising Murder Mystery Dinner Show at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford. For the uninitiated, the event was a complete surprise. Actors of the theater company, Mystery Café, performed right on the dining room floor, in between the tables. If anyone thought that the murder mystery would be serious, what they got was a fast-paced comedy. Audience members from every table played various roles and like the actors, very often strayed from the script adding to the hilarity of the performance.

Taking part in the evening's entertainment were members of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Foundation Board Members including Chairman and President George Karousos, Secretary Phil Paleologos, John Enright, Sr, John Lobo, Guillermo Gonzalez. M.D., and Executive Director Robert E. Nochimow. Also attending were members of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Executive staff and Board of Directors: Peter Georgeopoulos, D. Karen Enright, Rose A. Yates, Board Chair, Deborah Jenkins, Gerard Kavanaugh, and Golf Committee Chairman Jean Desrosiers.

The funds raised by the Foundation provide continuous support for the high quality health care given to the adults, children, and elderly of the community regardless of their ability to pay.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center holds farewell reception for former President and CEO,
Stuart I. Forman

It was a time to be both happy and sad as over a hundred people gathered at the

Abbey Grill in Fall River to honor former President and CEO of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Stuart I. Forman. It was happy because it was a celebration of Dr. Forman's 17 years of dedicated service to the Health Center and because he would now be able to pursue graduate religious studies, something he has wanted to do almost all his life. He also will continue to contribute to public health through consulting.

Those who could not attend sent their sentiments including James Roosevelt, Jr., President of Tufts Health Plan, who wrote ". . . it has been a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder in serving the Health Center." Rose Yates, Chairperson of the Health Center Board of Directors, recounted how she told Stuart when he started as President that they were going to work as partners and "we have not only been partners for over 17 years but friends. He has left us a great legacy." The partnership also included Peter Georgeopoulos, the Center's Executive VP and CFO, who has taken on the role of CEO.

Dr. Forman responded from the heart saying, "the outpouring of affection was not anticipated and I cannot thank you enough for your expressions. I am proud of what was done at the Health Center and proud of you but it could not have been accomplished without Rose and Peter. The experience has been rewarding spiritually. The Health Center cares for a quarter of a city with profound needs that could not be cared for anywhere else with such compassion."

Mayor Scott Lang of New Bedford personally presented an Official Resolution offering congratulations in recognition of the "tremendous contributions to improving the health and well being of the citizens of New Bedford." There was also a State Senate Official Citation noting "outstanding leadership and commitment to the medically underserved in our community."

Martha Gonzalez, Case Manager at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at the 8th Annual Legislative Breakfast sponsored by the Greater Fall River Partners for a Healthier Community and Greater New Bedford Health & Human Services Coalition. The award was given in recognition of Martha's contribution to the community and for helping to make it a healthier place to live through her work at the Health Center and her volunteer activities.

At the Health Center, Martha provides case management for Hispanic mothers. She is responsible for the only prenatal classes in the area that are given in Spanish. Martha sees about 120 families each year either at the Health Center or in their homes.

Martha is also a Board Member of the Nativity Preparatory School of New Bedford. Established in 2000, the school educates boys from low income families making sure that they are well prepared to enter college and graduate.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Receives $200,000 Grant from state's Essential Community Provider Trust

The Patrick Administration has announced a $200,000 grant has been awarded to the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center as part of the $37.5 million in grants awarded to 69 hospitals and community health centers throughout the state. The funds are provided through the Essential Community Provider Trust Fund to help hospitals and community health centers meet the needs of the populations they serve more effectively and efficiently.

Evaluation of the grant applications was based on the financial needs and the role that each institution plays in the Commonwealth's health delivery system in ensuring access to both preventive and acute care. The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center will use its grant to start up a storefront service for weight loss and childhood obesity, diabetic teaching, and smoking cessation. The storefront services will be available not only to Health Center patients but to the community at large.

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has announced that it will hold a free Flu Clinic on Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The flu vaccine will be available to adults 18 years or older. The clinic will be held at 874 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For further information, please call 508-992-6553.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center WIC Program Receives "Exceeds" Rating

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is pleased to announce that its WIC Program has received a rating of "exceeds" in its 2007 performance review by the Department of Public Health.

WIC is nutrition program that provides free nutritious food, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, immunization screening and referrals for children, and social service and health referrals. WIC services are available to eligible pregnant and postpartum women and children under the age of 5. Health Center patients participating in WIC have shown reduced numbers of low birth weights and reduced infant mortality.

Performance measurements looked at leadership and management, participant service, community based participation, and the clinic environment. When asked about community based coordination, Darlene Dymsza, Program Director, said the goal of the Health Center's WIC Program has been to increase the enrollment of Central American women in their first trimester of pregnancy. In addition, the Community Coordinator regularly visits organizations to set up referrals for eligible women and children.

When asked how the Health Center's WIC Program has done in the past, Darlene said it has always done well. When asked why, she replied the staff is very committed to the program and its patients. She proudly added "close to 500 people have been enrolled in the past 4 to 5 years without sacrificing the quality of the program".

For years, the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive staff of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center dreamt of a medical facility where a wide range of services in one location would be easily accessible to area residents. On August 8, 2007, the dream came true as the Health Center officially opened its expanded downtown campus. Now, in one stop, patients can get not only primary medical care but dental services, nutritional services, eye care, laboratory testing, X-rays, mammography, pharmacy services, and more. This assures not only good quality care but continuity of care as well.

The ribbon cutting ceremony and official opening of the expanded downtown campus included addresses by Senator Mark Montigny, Mayor Scott Lang, and Ines Goncalves-Drolet representing Congressman Barney Frank and remarks by James Hunt, President of the Massachusetts League of Community Health. While they commented on the problems of the health care system, they acknowledged that the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center and Health Centers nationwide are good for the health of the community and prevention of disease. They are also economic engines for their communities often improving and revitalizing the areas in which they are located.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Opens Women's Health/MCH Clinical Unit

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is pleased to announce the opening of its clinical unit devoted to Women's Health and Maternal & Child Health. By co-locating the unit with Pediatrics and WIC nutrition program, the Health Center has dedicated one floor of its facility to "moms and kids". The objective is to provide and improve a complete range of services that will insure the quality, continuity, and access to care and prevention programs for staying healthy.

In his remarks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Health Center President and CEO, Stuart Forman remarked "our focus is prevention, as well as intervention services; and it is care not only throughout the life course of an individual, but it is care throughout multi-generations. This approach is critical, if we are to ultimately prevent disease rather than just intervening after disease has occurred."

Mr. Jean Desrosiers, Chairman of the Golf Tournament Committee, presented a check to the Health Center noting that the funds raised by the Tournament helped to equip four new exam rooms in the Women's Health area.

Golfers play to benefit women's health at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center

The 14th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament for the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center got underway at the Fall River Country Club on Monday, June 11. The event

raised $35,000 for the renovation of the Women's Health area. Golf Committee Chairman, Jean Desrosiers, noted that the funds would help equip four new exam rooms. Walgreens, which will provide full pharmacy services on the Health Center campus, supported the 2007 fund-raiser as a Tournament Co-Sponsor.

The annual tournament has raised over $435,000 over the past 14 years thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, players, organizing committee, and volunteers. This has helped to defray the cost of bringing quality health care to members of the community who have little or no insurance. It has also allowed the Health Center to undertake the capital improvements that keep the facility modern and well equipped.

The hard working golf committee included Jean Desrosiers, Ron Ambroseno, Anna Dutra, Darlene Dymsza, Roxanne Ferrer, John Ford, Peter Georgeopoulos, Francine Herman, Stephanie Machado, Derek Mendes, Olga Moura, Robert Nochimow, Joyce O'Connell, Victoria Pereira, Nelson Quintal, Jack Silva, Pamela Schmidt, Chris Walton, and Beth Yuen. Joyce O'Connell and Francine Herman were cited during the awards ceremony for their dedication to making the benefit golf tournament so successful each year.

First Place - Mike Crowe, John Preist, John Jones, and Jeff Weekly
Second Place - Donald Monaghan, Jack Warner, Dave Rousseau, Scott Sylvia
Third Place - Jean Desrosiers, Charles Marchetti, Gabriel Tavares, Richard Niedzwiadek
Closest to the Pin: Charles Marchetti
Longest Drives: John Jones, Tammy Aijlla

This year's Golf Committee included, Jean Desrosiers, Darlene Dymsza, John Ford, Joyce O'Connell, A. Jack Sylva lll, Chris Walton, Pamela Schmidt, Derek Mendes, Francine Herman, Peter Georgeopoulos, Anna Dutra, Roxanne Ferrer, Stephanie Machado, Olga Moura, Robert Nochimow, Victoria Pereira, Nelson Quintal, Beth Yuen.

GNBCHC News & Events (Page 1)

Regional and National Health News: